PANJIM: The state government has proposed to consider illegal tree felling cases as theft and impose stringent penalties of compulsory imprisonment against the offenders henceforth.

This was disclosed by the chief minister Manohar Parrikar, on behalf of the state forest ministry, during question hour in the Goa Assembly on Monday. The matter was raised by Opposition leader Pratapsingh Rane and Valpoi MLA Viishwajeet Rane.