The Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO), Coimbatore South, has imposed a penalty of ₹1,06,400 on a commercial building owner for allegedly felling a government tree without obtaining prior permission.According to an order issued by Coimbatore South RDO R. Maruthipriya, the action was taken based on a report submitted by the Coimbatore South Tahsildar following an inquiry into the unauthorised removal of a Pungan tree on Variety Hall Road in Coimbatore city.The order stated that Sankarlal, who owns a commercial complex at Door No. 448 on Variety Hall Road, had allegedly cut down a Pungan tree located in front of his premises, near the CMC Colony auto stand and opposite City Union Bank, on the night of July 10 without obtaining government approval.The tree measured about 10 feet in height with a circumference of around two feet. Officials assessed the value of the tree at ₹1,400.During the inquiry conducted on July 13, statements were recorded from members of the public and the building owner. The order stated that Sankarlal admitted to having the tree removed, claiming that he had done so without being aware of the legal requirement for prior permission, and agreed to abide by the government’s decision.The RDO imposed a penalty of ₹1,06,400, comprising 75 times the assessed value of the tree (₹1,05,000) in addition to the tree’s value of ₹1,400.The RDO also directed the owner to plant and maintain 10 saplings either on his own land or on land belonging to the Coimbatore Corporation as compensatory plantation for the felled tree. Published - July 28, 2026 08:29 pm IST