The forest department has not only vowed to combat this growing menace, but has also prepared a draft of a Bill which would be put before the Cabinet for its approval. The draft has been prepared on the pattern of metropolitan cities like Delhi and Bangalore. Sources in the forest department said there is every possibility that the Bill could be brought before the House in the Vidhan Sabha budget session beginning shortly.

There is a provision in the draft to impose heavy penalty on those indulging in illegal activities. Earlier, if someone cut a tree, he was fined barely Rs 500, but now the fine has been increased up to Rs 1 lakh, said Principal Secretary, Forest, Ashok Thakur, adding that there was also a provision for lodging an FIR against those who damage trees.

The Principal Secretary, Forest, said the Bill will enable forest officials to act against the offenders. At present, people cutting a tree or damaging it escape with minor punishment, Thakur added.

The forest department officials had thoroughly studied the Delhi Tree Act prior to preparing a draft of the Bill and when enacted, the Act would be known as the Tree Preservation Act, Shimla.

Initially, the new law would be implemented in Shimla, but later other areas of the state would also be brought under the law, he said.

Giving other details, Conservator of Forest, Shimla Division, Vineet Kumar said there was a provision in the Bill to set up a tree committee which would take care of daily affairs. Similarly, a tree authority would also be set up to look into complaints like chopping and removal of trees from the forest.