In Chennai, defacing road side trees could cost a fine of Rs 25000 and 3 years in jail
Posted on: 09/Sep/2019 10:11:08 AM
Roadside trees in Chennai are not for putting up banners or advertisements.
If you have thought about defacing the roadside trees in the Chennai city by putting advertisement boards, banners, cables and decorative lights then be careful. You would have to face the consequences.
It must be taken into account that the civic body has warned people who deface the roadside trees by the above mentioned ways. Information is people who indulge in defacing the trees would be required to pay penalty amount of Rs 25,000 plus they would be sent to jail for 3 years.
On Sunday, GCC commissioner Mr. G.Prakash said the violators had 10 days of time to remove the advertisements, banners etc from the trees or they would face action under 326-I of Chennai City Municipal Corporation Act, 1919. It is revealed that the people could make a complaint against the violators through Namma Chennai mobile app or by calling up the number 1913.
The commissioner spoke about how the avenue trees are public asset and how utilizing them as advertisement boards is an offence. He highlighted that parks department would ensure these advertisement boards are removed and action is taken against the violators.
This move by the civic body was appreciated by Shobha Menon of NGO Nizhal. She spoke about how this move could be made sustainable when the citizens report about the tree abuse in their own places to the corporation. By this, the offenders would get the message loud and clear.
Popular botanist Mr. Narasimhan later expressed his thoughts. He was of the view that mere order was not sufficient but implementation of the order was important. He explained about how when a nail was bored into the trees pathogens would enter. Mr. Narasimhan concluded that a tree might look green outside but would fall slowly due to these advertisements.
Bright light on the trees could distract the motorists and result in the accidents. This was as per Mr. Kathirmathiyon a consumer activist. He mentioned about how serial lighting and digital lightings were also not allowed and how the advertisements should be placed 10 feet from the roads.
