BELAGAVI: To simplify the procedure for cutting trees for public or domestic purposes, the state government on Friday amended the Karnataka Preservation of Trees Act 1976.
The Legislative Assembly which met at the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha passed the amendment by a voice vote.
The Bill allows the cutting of more species of trees such as areca nut, coffee, guava, and hebbevu (melia dubia) without taking permission from the authorities.
It also increases the number of trees to be cut in public interest and for domestic purposes, and generally relaxes the restrictions on cutting trees.
According to the new Bill, a family can fell enough trees to yield timber up to 2.8 cubic metres, 100 poles, 100 bamboos and five tonnes of firewood.
Stamps Amendment Bill
The Legislative Assembly on Friday also passed the Karnataka Stamps (Second Amendment) Bill 2014, which provides for reducing or remitting stamp duty on any instrument executed by key projects in special economic zones announced in the new Karnataka Industrial Policy 2014-2019.