Jaipur: State cabinet has approved the draft of the Rajasthan Trees (Protection) Bill, 2026, proposing stringent provisions to regulate cutting and felling of trees on non-forest land. The Bill is likely to be introduced in the upcoming Assembly session. The proposed legislation seeks to give special protection to 29 important tree species, including the state tree Khejri and state flower Rohida, besides Bargad, Peepal, Lasoda, Tendu, Mahua, Cair and Chironji.An official said, “Under the proposed law, illegal cutting, uprooting and felling of trees would be effectively regulated, with govt linking the legislation to ecological balance, prevention of desertification, biodiversity conservation and mitigation of the adverse impacts of climate change,”The Bill proposes to make offences under its provisions cognisable and bailable, while fixing accountability for unauthorised felling of standing trees on non-forest land. A person found guilty could face imprisonment of up to one year, a fine of Rs 1 lakh, or both.The draft also provides that no person would be permitted to cut or become a cause to cut any tree standing on land owned or possessed by them without prior permission from the authorised authority. Materials used in offences could also be seized under the proposed legislation.Where a tree is cut or removed with the permission of the authorised authority, the Bill provides for plantation of the prescribed number of trees in the same area in lieu of each tree removed.The govt said protected species have considerable significance in rural and tribal life and are important from medicinal, commercial and livelihood perspectives. The proposed law, it said, would strengthen protection of these trees while benefiting communities in tribal and desert regions and supporting the rural economy “. The Bill, once enacted, would provide a statutory framework for regulating tree felling on non-forest land and strengthening conservation of species considered important to Rajasthan’s ecology and traditional rural economy,” added official.
