Section 7 in Tamil Nadu Panchayats (Determination of Claim to Trees Growing on Public Roads or other Property Vesting in or Belonging to Village Panchayats) Rules, 2001
7. Auction of trees.
(1)The village panchayat shall have the powers to cut down or sell by auction, -(a)wind-fallen and withered trees, irrespective of the fact whether they are fruit-bearing trees or non-fruit-bearing trees;(b)live trees on road margins which are considered as dangerous to traffic or a danger to life or health or for executing any work by or on behalf of village panchayat; and(c)live trees on the bunds of small tanks which serve as sources of supply of drinking water, if the leaves of such trees fall into the tanks and render them unfit for drinking purposes.(2)The income derived from the sale of the trees under sub-rule (1) shall be appropriated by the village panchayats.(3)When the village panchayat proposes to cut or sell live trees under clause (b) or (c) of sub-rule (1), it shall obtain the sanction of the Revenue Divisional Officer:Provided that no such sanction shall be accorded except on a report from the Tahsildar of the taluk concerned, after his personal inspection of the trees.(4)In respect of trees fallen as a result of a cyclone, the village panchayat shall report to the Revenue Divisional Officer and obtain sanction as in sub-rule (3) to sell the trees. The income derived from the sale of such trees under this rule shall be credited to the village panchayat fund.
