Statement of Objects and Reasons

Urban trees are an integral part of the urban environment, 1 providing multiple benefits2 such
as shade, cooling, air purification, increase in rainfall, enhanced groundwater storage, noise
reduction, biodiversity, aesthetics, recreation and health.3 However, urban trees in Tamil
Nadu are facing various threats and challenges, such as rapid urbanization, population
growth, infrastructure development,4 pollution, climate change, illegal logging, 5 and lack of
awareness and participation. These factors have resulted in the loss, degradation and
fragmentation of urban tree cover,6 affecting the quality of life and well-being of the urban
population.7 The loss in such urban green spaces are known to cause environmental problems
such as urban heat island effect, increased runoff, groundwater depletion, pollution and
others.8
The principal urban area in Tamil Nadu, Chennai, is already facing the woes of the climate
change crisis such as acute groundwater shortage, erratic rainfall, frequent floods, and urban
heat island effect.9 Furthermore, the reduction of urban green spaces in Chennai 10 has
exacerbated the existing environmental issues.11 Hence, it is critical to increase trees in urban
areas such as Chennai.

1
https://www.wri.org/insights/urban-trees-city-climate-action
2
https://www.warwickdc.gov.uk/info/20323/trees/577/the_benefits_of_urban_trees
3
https://www.nature.org/en-us/what-we-do/our-insights/perspectives/how-urban-trees-can-save-lives/ ;
https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/hsph-in-the-news/the-health-benefits-of-trees/
4
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/choked-by-concrete-urban-trees-face-slow-death-in-tamil-
nadu/article4843719.ece
5
https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2022/jun/21/illegal-felling-of-trees-in-coimbatore-
shocks-activists-2467942.html
6
https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2022/jan/22/forest-area-in-tamil-nadu-up-tree-cover-
downisfr2021-report-2409917.html
7
Sundaram, A.M. Urban green-cover and the environmental performance of Chennai city. Environ Dev Sustain
(2011) 13:107–119. DOI 10.1007/s10668-010-9251-y
8
Setchell, A. C. (1995). The growing environmental crisis in the world’s mega cities. Third World Planning
Review, 17, 1–18; Alberti, Marina. (1999). Modeling the urban ecosystem: A conceptual framework.
Environment and Planning B: Planning and Design, 26, 605–630; Whitford, V., Ennos, A. R., & Handley, J. F.
(2001). ‘City form and natural process’- indicators for the ecological performance of urban areas and their
application to Meyseyside, UK. Landscape and Urban Planning, 57, 91–103; Hamdi, & Schayes, (2008).
Sensitivity study of the urban heat island intensity to urban characteristics. International Journal of Climatology,
28, 973–982.
9
https://india.mongabay.com/2019/04/photos-zooming-into-the-environmental-problems-of-a-growing-
chennai/; https://www.dtnext.in/city/2022/04/22/chennai-feels-the-heat-as-climate-change-makes-presence-felt;
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/how-chennai-one-of-the-worlds-wettest-major-
cities-ran-out-of-water/articleshow/80680182.cms?from=mdr.
10
https://www.livemint.com/Politics/N2gDWLiHiHFiqZa7wvrT2J/Chennai-loses-green-space-as-urbanization-
goes-up-study.html
11
Sundaram, A.M. (2022). Restoring Urban Green Cover of Chennai City: An Ecological Approach. In: Ashish,
D.K., de Brito, J. (eds) Environmental Concerns and Remediation. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-
3-031-05984-1_12;
Article 48-A of the Indian Constitution imposes a duty on the state to protect and improve the
environment and safeguard the forests and wildlife of the country. Additionally, Article
51A(g) imposes a fundamental duty on every citizen of India to protect and improve the
natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wildlife, and to have compassion for
living creatures.
Therefore, the present bill seeks to protect, maintain, audit and increase urban trees in Tamil
Nadu by defining “urban trees” and by providing for the following aims:

1. To evaluate the current condition and value of urban trees in Tamil Nadu by conducting a
comprehensive inventory and assessment, using standardized methods and indicators. This
would help to identify the existing urban tree resources, their distribution, diversity, health
and performance, and their contribution to the urban ecosystem services and human welfare.
2. To increase the urban tree cover in Tamil Nadu by planting native and location-specific
trees in public and private spaces, such as parks, streets, schools, hospitals, residential and
commercial areas. This would help to enhance the green infrastructure, improve the
microclimate, mitigate the heat island effect, enhance carbon capture, conserve water and
soil, and create attractive and livable urban spaces.
3. To protect the existing urban trees in Tamil Nadu from illegal logging, encroachment, fire,
pests and diseases, by enforcing strict penalties and incentives for compliance. This would
help to prevent the loss or damage of urban trees due to human or natural causes, and to
ensure their survival and growth.
4. To promote public awareness and participation in urban forestry activities, such as tree
maintenance and monitoring, by collaborating with NGOs, community groups, educational
institutions and corporate bodies. This would help to increase the public appreciation and
stewardship of urban trees, foster a sense of civic responsibility and ownership, and mobilize
social capital and resources for urban forestry.
5. To foster collaboration and coordination among different stakeholders, such as government
agencies, NGOs, private sector, academia and media, to promote urban forestry initiatives
and share best practices. This would help to create a conducive policy environment, facilitate
information exchange and knowledge dissemination, leverage synergies and partnerships, and
enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of urban forestry interventions.
6. To establish a dedicated urban forestry department or agency that would coordinate,
implement and evaluate the urban forestry policies and programs in urban areas in Tamil
Nadu. This would help to provide institutional support and leadership for urban forestry
development,
ensure accountability and transparency in decision making and resource allocation, and
monitor and report on the progress and impact of urban forestry activities.
7. To allocate adequate financial and human resources for urban forestry activities, such as
planting, pruning, watering, removal, audit, replacement, and ensure accountability and
transparency in their use. This would help to ensure the availability and sustainability of
funds and manpower for urban forestry operations, maintenance and management, and to
prevent misuse or diversion of resources.
8. To set measurable and achievable targets for urban tree cover, diversity, health and
performance, based on the local context and needs of Tamil Nadu. This would help to
establish a clear vision and direction for urban forestry development, provide a basis for
planning and prioritization, and enable evaluation and feedback.
9. To integrate urban forestry into other urban planning and development policies, such as
land use, transportation, housing, energy, water, health and climate change. This would help
to ensure the compatibility and complementarity of urban forestry objectives with other
sectoral goals, address potential conflicts or trade-offs, and maximize co-benefits and
opportunities.
10. To define the roles and responsibilities of the Municipal Corporations and Municipalities
with respect to urban trees, and to empower them to plan, implement, regulate and monitor
urban forestry activities within their respective jurisdictions. This would help to decentralize
and democratize urban forestry governance, enhance the capacity and accountability of the
local bodies, and ensure the participation and representation of the local communities.