Section 4 in Kerala Preservation of Trees Act, 1986
4. Restriction regarding cutting, etc., of trees.
(1)No person shall, without the previous permission m writing of the authorised officer, cut, uproot or burn, or cause to be cut, uprooted or burnt, any tree.(2)The permission under sub-section (1) shall not be refused if -(a)the tree constitutes a danger to life or property; or(b)the tree 13 dead, diseased or wind fallen:Provided that where permission to cut a tree is granted on the ground specified in clause (a) or clause (b), the authorised officer shall impose as a condition for the grant of such permission the effective regeneration of an equal number of the same or other suitable species of trees; or(c)such cutting is to enable the owner of the land in which the tree stands to use the area cleared or the timber cut for the construction of a building for his own use.(3)No person shall cut or otherwise damage, or cause to be cut or otherwise damaged, the branch of any tree:Provided that the provisions of this Sub-section shall not be deemed to prevent the pruning of any tree as required by ordinary agricultural or horticultural practices.(4)No person `Shall, without the previous permission in writing of the authorised officer, destroy any plant of any tree or do any act which diminishes the value of any such plant.(5)Nothing contained m sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) or sub-section (3) or sub-section (4) shall apply in respect of any tree or plant in*the compound of any residential building:Provided that where such compound exceeds one hectare In extent, the provisions of this sub-section shall apply only in respect of an extent of one hectare immediately surrounding the residential building.
