G.O.(Ms).No.26, Massive Tree Plantation
The Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (CGS.1) Department issued Government Order (Ms.) No. 26 dated 21 February 2018, sanctioning the plantation and one year maintenance of 64 lakh seedlings under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme during 2017-18. Planting was authorised on Panchayat lands, Government lands, Government and private institutions, schools, colleges and other suitable areas, with a separate direction to release funds to the Forest Department for 5 lakh seedlings.
What the document does
The Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (CGS.1) Department issued Government Order (Ms.) No. 26 dated 21 February 2018 for a Massive Tree Plantation Programme. It sanctions plantation of 64 lakh seedlings at an estimated cost of Rs.157.17 crore under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme during 2017-18.
The programme was intended to increase green cover in Tamil Nadu. It also allowed seedlings already raised in Block nurseries to be used for the programme. These nurseries had been established across 385 Blocks in 31 rural districts, and had about 1.78 crore saplings of species including tamarind, neem and pungan available.
Land and locations covered
Government Order (Ms.) No. 26 dated 21 February 2018 allows planting in the following places:
- Panchayat lands.
- Government lands and porambokes.
- Government institutions.
- Private institutions.
- Schools and colleges.
- Other suitable areas.
District Collectors were expected to identify suitable locations through Block Development Officers and Revenue Officials. The source does not authorise plantation on every privately owned property. It specifically refers to private institutions and other suitable areas.
Main financial and operational provisions
The Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (CGS.1) Department approved these measures:
- Rs.157.17 crore for planting and maintaining 64 lakh seedlings for one year.
- A calculated cost of Rs.245.58 per plant, covering pitting, planting, watering, weeding, mulching, manuring and transportation.
- A labour component of Rs.156.53 crore and a material component of Rs.0.64 crore.
- Use of seedlings already available in Block nurseries.
- Release of Rs.5.25 crore to the Forest Department for 5 lakh seedlings, including 10 percent wastage or damage, under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme for 2017-18.
- Jungle clearance only where jungles were actually present at a proposed plantation site.
Oversight and relevance to landholders
Government Order (Ms.) No. 26 dated 21 February 2018 requires higher level officials to conduct systematic inspections using random sampling. Suitable action must be taken where plants are missing and against responsible officials.
A buyer, owner or institution may need to check whether land under consideration was identified as a plantation site, particularly if it is Panchayat land, Government land, poramboke or institutional property. The document does not change land ownership or create a general restriction on the sale of private land.
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
Does Government Order (Ms.) No. 26 allow trees to be planted on private residential land?
The document names private institutions, not private residential land generally. It also covers Panchayat lands, Government lands, schools, colleges and other suitable areas.
Does the plantation programme change ownership of the land?
No change of ownership is stated in the source. The document sanctions tree planting and maintenance on identified suitable sites.
Who identifies land for the plantation programme?
District Collectors were to identify suitable places through Block Development Officers and Revenue Officials.
How many seedlings were covered by the programme?
The Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department was sanctioned to plant 64 lakh seedlings. The Government also directed release of funds to the Forest Department for 5 lakh seedlings.
