Minister of State for Revenue and R&B, Mr. Sunil Sharma informed the House that the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir is the competent authority for grant of permission under section 4 of the J&K Preservation of Specified Trees Act 1969, who issues permission for felling/lopping of trees on regular basis as and when the matter of any such walnut tree is brought his notice. The Minister was replying to a Calling Attention Notice by Mr. Mohammad Abbas. He said moreover, in case any such tree is posing threat to the public life and property or causing public nuisance, the district magistrate can issue orders under Section 133 of the Criminal procedure Code for their removal.He said that in case of dry Chinars, the competent authority is to take corrective measures which may include issuing of permissions for lopping and cutting of such trees under the provisions of the Land Revenue Act.The Minister further said that there is no report of a general nature regarding the threat to the public at large due to presence of dry Chinars or Walnut trees.