Pune: Maharashtra Forest Department Takes Action Against John Deere India for Unauthorized Tree Cutting

Shirur, 7th September 2024: Action has been taken against John Deere India Private Limited, the premier manufacturer of tractors and agriculture equipment in India, for cutting trees. The Maharashtra Forest Department initiated this action. John Deere is alleged to have cut trees, including scheduled species, and failed to replant them.

Pratap Jagtap, Range Forest Officer, Shirur, has issued a notice to the manager of John Deere in Sanaswadi, Shirur. Kapil Shinde, a resident of Pune, complained to the Forest Department on 27th August. The Forest Department sent a notice on 5th September.

According to the notice, John Deere had permission to cut 510 trees and had promised to replant 236 of them. The department received a complaint that these terms were violated. Today, officials from the Forest Department visited the site and found remains of limb trees. Since limb is a scheduled species, and it was discovered that 12 limb trees were not replanted, action is being taken.

The complaint also noted that the limb trees had eggs and nests on them. The notice requires the company to present its case on 9th September at 1 PM at the Forest Department’s office in Shirur. If the company does not attend, a one-sided decision will be made. Action under The Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972 is anticipated.