The Maharashtra legislative assembly on Friday passed a bill empowering local tree authorities to allow the felling of all types of trees without referring matters to the State Tree Authority.
While the opposition Shiv Sena (UBT) questioned the rationale behind the amendment, the ruling BJP accused the Uddhav Thackeray-led party of opposing development.
The bill amended the Maharashtra (Urban Areas) Protection and Preservation of Trees Act, 1975. It is yet to be passed by the legislative council.