Declaration of Melnilavur Forest Block in Sankarapuram Taluk, Villupuram District as Reserved Forest under the Tamil Nadu Forest Act
The Environment and Forests Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu issued G.O. Ms. No. 116, Environment and Forests (FR.14), dated 20 August 2018, declaring the scheduled land in Keelnilavur and Melnilavur villages as the Melnilavur Reserved Forest. The declaration takes effect from 28 August 2019 and covers 1002.96.5 hectares, subject to the listed enclosures, admitted claims and tribal rights of way.
What the declaration does
The Environment and Forests Department declaration constitutes the land identified in its schedule as the Melnilavur Reserved Forest under the Tamil Nadu Forest Act, 1882. The reserved forest status takes effect from 28 August 2019.
The forest block is in Sankarapuram Taluk, Villupuram District, and includes scheduled survey fields in two villages:
- Keelnilavur, village number 146, covering 501.27.5 hectares.
- Melnilavur, village number 148, covering 501.69.0 hectares.
- The total stated area is 1002.96.5 hectares.
Boundaries and scheduled land
The Melnilavur Reserved Forest schedule provides individual survey numbers and extents for both villages. It also describes the outer boundaries by reference to Kalliparai, Vilvathy, Vengodu, Innadu and Keelathukuzhi villages, and the Kottapatti Reserved Forest boundary in Dharmapuri District.
A buyer, owner or professional dealing with land in Keelnilavur or Melnilavur should compare the land's village number, survey number and subdivision with the detailed schedules. The village name alone is not enough to determine whether a particular parcel is included or treated as an enclosure.
Enclosures and admitted claims
The Environment and Forests Department schedule identifies exceptions within the forest boundary:
- Listed patta lands and other poramboke lands are treated as enclosures.
- These enclosures total 156.55.0 hectares, comprising 75.43.5 hectares in Keelnilavur and 81.33.5 hectares in Melnilavur.
- Separate lands in Melnilavur that were admitted through claim petitions are also treated as enclosures.
- The total extent stated for admitted claims is 51.91.5 hectares.
The schedules identify these lands by survey number, subdivision, total extent and, for claim lands, the extent admitted.
Rights of way
The Environment and Forests Department declaration preserves specified pathways as rights of way for tribal people. The pathway descriptions give their starting and ending survey fields or boundaries, widths, magnetic bearings and distances. The stated widths include one metre and five metres for several described routes, while the available text also begins describing a pathway with a width of 0.8 metres.
This summary is generated from the source document to help you find what is relevant. The PDF above is authoritative. For advice on your own property, use LandLens One or speak to a qualified professional.
Common questions
When does the Melnilavur Reserved Forest declaration take effect?
The declaration takes effect from 28 August 2019.
Does the declaration cover all land in Keelnilavur and Melnilavur?
The declaration covers the survey fields listed in the schedule. It also lists patta lands, poramboke lands and lands admitted through claim petitions that are treated as enclosures.
How much land is included in the Melnilavur forest block?
The stated total is 1002.96.5 hectares, comprising 501.27.5 hectares in Keelnilavur and 501.69.0 hectares in Melnilavur.
Are access rights preserved within the forest boundary?
Yes. The declaration describes specified pathways that are admitted as rights of way for tribal people.
