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Mumbai's BMC manages 1,000+ gardens and is the authority for all tree cutting, transplantation and pruning permissions. Know the rules, apply online and protect Mumbai's urban forest.
Cutting or damaging a tree without permission is an offence under Maharashtra Trees Act 1975. Penalty up to ₹1 lakh per tree.
Mumbai's BMC Garden Department manages over 1,000 public gardens and is responsible for the preservation of Mumbai's urban tree cover — over 2.7 lakh trees registered on BMC records. The department operates under the Superintendent of Gardens and coordinates with the Tree Authority Mumbai for all tree-related permissions.
The Maharashtra (Urban Areas) Protection and Preservation of Trees Act 1975 is the primary law protecting trees in urban Maharashtra. Under this Act, no tree can be cut, uprooted, ring-barked, lopped or damaged without prior permission from the Tree Authority. The Act applies to all trees — whether on public land, private land or within housing societies — in municipal areas.
A housing society must obtain BMC's Tree Authority permission before cutting any tree in its compound — even for redevelopment or construction. The society needs to submit an application with site plan, tree details and justification. Permission is granted only if the tree is dead, diseased or poses a genuine safety risk. In all other cases, the Tree Authority encourages transplantation over removal.
BMC has an Adopt a Garden scheme where individuals, corporates or housing societies can adopt and maintain a public garden. The adopted garden bears the adopter's name board. Applications are made to the Superintendent of Gardens at the relevant zonal BMC office. The arrangement is typically for 3 years, renewable subject to satisfactory maintenance.