CHENNAI: Unauthorised cutting of trees in public places within the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) limits will attract a fine of Rs 1 lakh, and the civic body has shifted all tree-related permissions to an online-only system, effective from January 12, 2026.

The GCC has announced that applications for services such as removal of trees, pruning of branches, transplantation, and removal of dried or dangerous trees will no longer be accepted through the Forest Department directly. Instead, all government and private applicants must submit requests through the GCC website or the Namma Chennai mobile application.

The move is said to be aimed at streamlining approvals, reducing delays, and ensuring faster action. Applications received through the civic body's Green Committee portal will be followed by joint field inspections involving GCC park officials, Forest Department personnel, and social activists. Inspection reports will be placed before the Green Committee for a decision, with applicants receiving updates through SMS and via the GCC website.

The corporation also warned that violations beyond tree felling will invite penalties. Cutting branches without permission, driving nails into trees, fixing advertisement boards, or installing decorative lights around trees in public spaces will attract a fine of Rs 15,000.

The GCC said the new system is part of its broader effort to protect trees in public spaces, even as it continues city-wide plantation drives, creation of micro-forests, and maintenance of existing green cover.