G.O. (Ms) No. 115, MGNREGS Guidelines for Avenue Plantation Activities on Either Sides of Roads, 2014

What the guidelines govern

Government Order (Ms) No. 115 dated 2 September 2014 approves procedures for planting trees on both sides of roads under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme. The announced programme proposed plantation along 500 kilometres of Highways Department roads, at an estimated cost of Rs.7.92 crore, to generate 4.74 lakh persondays.

The guidelines also apply to plantation on Village Panchayat roads, Panchayat Union roads and roads laid under schemes of the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department.

Who is affected

The Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department, Highways Department, District Collectors, District Rural Development Agencies, Block Development Officers and Village Panchayats have implementation responsibilities. Only Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme job card holders are eligible to work on these activities.

For property buyers and owners, the stated scope concerns road margins under the identified public authorities. The document sets out plantation administration rather than procedures for ownership, transfer or development of private property.

Approval and implementation

Key requirements include:

• Projects and works must be approved by the Gram Sabha.
• Contractors and machinery cannot be used to execute the work.
• Gram Sabha social audits form an integral part of implementation.
• The Highways Department identifies suitable roads and gives the list to the Project Director of the District Rural Development Agency.
• The District Collector or District Programme Coordinator grants administrative sanction after verification.
• Village Panchayats implement the scheme, while technical guidance, marking and measurements are handled by the Union Overseer or Assistant Engineer.
• Wages are paid through the electronic Fund Management System.

Planting and maintenance rules

Seedlings should generally be between six months and one year old. They may be sourced free from Panchayat or Panchayat Union nurseries, Agriculture or Horticulture Farms, or the Forest Department. Purchased seedlings are charged to the scheme's material component.

Planting must account for seasonal conditions and both monsoons. Trees must be placed on road margins beyond the side berms at a safe distance to reduce the risk of removal during road expansion. Varieties are to be selected in consultation with local forest officials.

Estimates must provide for watering for up to six months. Separate estimates may then be prepared for further watering, subject to a maximum period of three years from planting. Panchayats must lease or sell by public auction the rights to benefits from trees on Highways Department roads.