G.O. (Ms.) No. 138, Plantation of 68 Lakh Saplings in Rural Areas, 2021-22
The Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (CGS.1) Department issued G.O. (Ms.) No. 138 on 1 December 2021, granting permission to plant 68 lakh saplings in rural areas at an estimated cost of Rs.225.77 crore under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme during 2021-22. The document governs the funding, selection, execution and monitoring of the plantation work, but does not identify particular private properties, survey numbers or any change in land ownership.
What the document authorises
G.O. (Ms.) No. 138 of the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (CGS.1) Department, dated 1 December 2021, permits the planting of 68,00,000 saplings in rural areas during the financial year 2021-22. The programme has an estimated total cost of Rs.225.77 crore and is to be carried out under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme.
The stated purposes are to develop climate-resilient villages, help villages adapt to climate change and improve groundwater levels. Saplings are to be raised through all 385 Block nurseries.
Who and what it affects
The plantation programme is relevant to village panchayats, Gram Sabhas, District Collectors outside Chennai District, District Rural Development Agencies and officials implementing rural employment works. The permissible categories described in the document include afforestation, tree planting and horticulture on common and forest lands, road margins, canal bunds, tank foreshores and coastal belts.
G.O. (Ms.) No. 138 does not list individual sites, survey numbers or private properties. It also does not state that private land is acquired or that ownership records are changed. Every selected work must receive a Gram Sabha resolution and be entered work by work in Register No. 2 maintained by the village panchayat concerned.
Main conditions
The Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (CGS.1) Department imposed these requirements:
- Financial sanction can be made only after receipt of the Government of India share.
- Expenditure must remain within the Annual Action Plan.
- Only native species may be planted.
- Trees must be chosen according to the terrain and with guidance from the Forest Department.
- Trees with usufructs and carbon-fixation value should be selected.
- Estimates and administrative and technical sanctions must be processed through SECURE software.
- Sites must have Citizen Information Boards containing the prescribed information.
- Geo-tagging and photographs before, during and after plantation are required.
- Social audit, utilisation certificates and a progress-tracking system are required.
Funding and maintenance
The Government of India bears the full labour cost. Material cost is shared between the Government of India and the State Government in the ratio of 75:25. The estimated amount includes saplings, allowance for casualties, pitting, planting, transportation and first-year maintenance activities such as watering, weeding, mulching and manuring. Actual estimates may vary according to site conditions and the applicable Public Works Department Schedule of Rate.
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Common questions
Does G.O. (Ms.) No. 138 change the ownership or classification of my land?
The document does not state that land ownership or classification is changed. It does not identify private properties or survey numbers.
How can I know whether a plantation work has been selected in my village?
Every selected work requires a Gram Sabha resolution and a work-wise entry in Register No. 2 of the village panchayat concerned.
Can non-native tree species be planted under this programme?
No. G.O. (Ms.) No. 138 requires only native species, selected according to the terrain with guidance from the Forest Department.
How will plantation work be recorded and monitored?
The document requires geo-tagging, photographs before, during and after plantation, social audit, utilisation certificates and a proper progress-tracking system.
