The Telangana Forest Department has slapped a penalty of ₹20 lakh on Gulf Oil Corporation Limited (GOCL) for illegally clearing vegetation on its premises in Kukatpally.

A press statement from the department said complaints were received about the indiscriminate felling of trees on the premises a week ago. Officials who visited the premises found large tracts of forest removed, and issued challan for payment of penalty. The challan was paid on Monday, officials informed.

District Forest Officer (in-charge) of Medchal-Malkajgiri, Sudhakar Reddy said the property was in the process of being disposed of in parts to real estate companies. While the realtors had applied for forest felling, they were instead granted translocation permission. However, the GOCL proceeded without seeking any such approval, likely an attempt to prepare the ground for sale.

Mr.Reddy said this is not the first time the company resorted to such violation, and said ₹4 lakh penalty was slapped earlier too in another instance of tree felling.

He warned the property owners against felling trees at will, as it goes against the Telangana Water, Land and Trees Act, 2002, and hefty penalties will be levied against such acts. People wishing to clear the land of trees should apply to the Forest department through proper channel and by paying the required fee, he said.