Housing society in Hyderabad fined Rs 53,000 for chopping trees

The forest department has imposed a fine of Rs 53,900 on the executive committee of Indu Fortune Fields Gardenia Apartments for the cutting and translocation of about 36 trees without permission. Some residents, however, contested the move on the grounds that the number of trees cut was much higher. Sudhakar Reddy, the district forest officer of Medchal, inspected the premises before taking the decision. The department held that while the said trees had been translocated, this was done in an unscientific manner. Stating that the act was in violation of WALTA Act, the department also said that 80 saplings had to be planted for the trees.