AMC plans 5 lakh plantations this year amid rise in illegal tree felling

The Amdavad Municipal Corporation (AMC) is preparing to plant five lakh trees during the 2026-27 financial year, even as instances of illegal tree felling in the city have raised concerns over the functioning of its horticulture department.

Official figures show that 227 trees were illegally cut down in the city over the past year. Despite the violations allegedly taking place in full view of the horticulture department, action was largely limited to issuing notices.

Data from the civic body showed that permission was sought for the felling of 1,529 trees across seven zones of the city, of which only 514 applications were approved by the horticulture department.

The department has remained at the centre of controversy for more than a year over alleged irregularities and poor implementation of plantation drives.

An expenditure of ₹69 crore had initially been sanctioned under the “Mission Million Four” plantation campaign. However, the expenditure reportedly rose to ₹136 crore, following which the Municipal Commissioner declined to approve the related file.

During the weekly review meetings chaired every Wednesday by the Municipal Commissioner, the functioning of the horticulture department repeatedly came under criticism. The Commissioner is also learnt to have pulled up the former Deputy Commissioner, who was transferred a day earlier, over the department’s poor performance.

Officials said the Municipal Commissioner had to take charge of the proposed “Mission Five Million” plantation campaign, which reflected the extent of dissatisfaction over the department’s functioning.