Tree Committee

A Panchayat Tree Committee (പഞ്ചായത്ത് ട്രീ കമ്മിറ്റി) is a specialized panel constituted under Local Self Government rules and Social Forestry guidelines in Kerala. It regulates tree felling, prevents accidents from hazardous trees, and manages greening initiatives within a Grama Panchayat. 

Structure & Composition

  • Chairman: Grama Panchayat President
  • Convenor: Social Forestry Division Official (such as a Beat/Section Forest Officer) or an officer nominated by the Panchayat Secretary.
  • Members: Standing Committee Chairpersons (Development/Health & Education), Agricultural Officer, SHO/Police representatives, PWD Engineer, and local environmental experts/nominated representatives.

Key Responsibilities

  • Hazardous Tree Removal: Inspects trees along public roads or private properties that pose a danger to life, safety, or infrastructure, recommending permission for felling or pruning.
  • Road & Development Clearance: Evaluates requests to cut trees for public development projects (e.g., road widening) and enforces guidelines for compensatory planting.
  • Compensatory Afforestation: Oversees regulations requiring multiple replacement saplings (often 10 saplings per tree cut) to be planted and nurtured.
  • Conservation & Greening: Collaborates with the Forest Department and local institutions to run afforestation campaigns, tree census drives, and environmental conservation projects.