GBA to launch online portal for tree-felling applications

Bengaluru: The forest wing of the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) will launch a dedicated web portal in October to streamline tree-felling applications and prioritise urgent requests.The portal is aimed at improving transparency and ensuring applications are processed on time.“The portal will eliminate manual intervention and make the process completely online. Citizens or agencies can apply for tree-felling permission directly, along with the required documents, and the application will be assigned to an official. The portal will also show the stage of the application and the primary contact for queries,” said Shilpa Nag, GBA Special Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change, Forests, Elections and Disaster Management.The portal will also allow applicants to indicate the priority or urgency of a request, ensuring that removal of dangerous trees is not delayed by procedural requirements.Once an application is submitted, it will be assigned to the Field Level Officer concerned, who will inspect the site and verify the tree, documents and request. It will then be forwarded to the Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) for review before being sent to the Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF), who will take the final decision.CESC contractors illuminate trees for Mysuru Dasara; environmentalists oppose Officials said the portal is in the final stages of development, with payment gateway integration and other tests pending.The GBA receives thousands of tree-felling applications, officials said. Digitising the process will also help create a comprehensive database of trees felled in the city.The Karnataka High Court recently directed the GBA to ensure that tree-related complaints and removal applications are dealt with according to their urgency and importance. The observations came while directing the GBA to pay Rs 2.82 crore in compensation to a person who suffered 85% disability after being injured by a falling tree branch.

Source: Deccan Herald