The Tribunal addressed a petition regarding an unstable, ancient tree outside the applicants' residence posing a safety hazard. Directing the District Green Committee to inspect and decide on the removal within two weeks, the application was disposed of.
Direction to District Green Committee to decide on tree removal within two weeks.
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Item No.02:-
BEFORE THE NATIONAL GREEN TRIBUNAL SOUTHERN ZONE, CHENNAI
Tuesday, the 7th day of July, 2026.
(Through Physical Hearing (Hybrid Option)
Original Application No.81 of 2026 (SZ)
IN THE MATTER OF:-
For Applicant(s): M/s. Shah & Shah, Dilip Kumar & Dhruv A Thaker. For Respondent(s): Dr. S.B. Nirmalatha for Greater Chennai Corporation.
CORAM :
HON’BLE Smt. JUSTICE PUSHPA SATHYANARAYANA, JUDICIAL MEMBER
HON’BLE Dr. PRASHANT GARGAVA, EXPERT MEMBER
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JUDGMENT
1. This application concerns the removal of a tree located outside the boundary of the applicants’ residence, which is more than 15 years old. The tree was planted by the Corporation. The complaint of the applicants is that the tree has been gradually leaning and pruning has not resolved the issue. The roots of the tree are partially uprooted and it is standing in a highly unstable condition such that it may collapse at anytime during adverse weather conditions, thereby posing a danger to public safety. Therefore, the applicants have approached the Tribunal seeking a direction to the Corporation to remove the tree immediately, contending that it is a highly dangerous tree.
2. In this regard, the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has filed a report stating that, based on the complaint received from the applicants, the Overseer of Zone–13, Greater Chennai Corporation, inspected the site and found that the tree in question is about 59-98 feet tall, with a trunk measuring 0.5 to 1 metre in diameter.
3. It is stated that the District Green Committee is headed by the Chairperson/Commissioner - Greater Chennai Corporation and that the felling of any tree and the grant of permission for the same fall within the jurisdiction of the District Green Committee. It is further stated that the applicants have submitted an application to the District Green Committee headed by the Chairperson and the same is yet to be considered.
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4. The photographs furnished by the applicants show
that, in the event of any adverse weather conditions, the tree may be uprooted. Hence, we direct the District Green Committee to attend to the issue and take an appropriate decision within a period of two weeks.
5. With the above direction, the Original Application
[O.A. No.81 of 2026(SZ)] is disposed of.
Sd/-
Smt. Justice Pushpa Sathyanarayana, JM
Sd/-
Dr.Prashant Gargava, EM
O.A. No.81/2026(SZ)
7 th July, 2026. AD.
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1 issue framed by the court
Whether the District Green Committee is directed to decide on the removal of a dangerous tree at the applicants' residence within two weeks.
1 provisions across 1 enactments
Mrs. M V Lakshmi, Mrs. C Kaplakam
The Greater Chennai Corporation
Pushpa Sathyanarayana
Prashant Gargava
As recorded by the court registry
An original application before a tribunal, most commonly a service dispute before the Central or a State Administrative Tribunal.
Judgements on the same questions, provisions and authorities, from every court
