G.O.(Ms) No.31, Massive Tree Plantation, 2017
The Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (CGS.1) Department issued G.O.(Ms) No.31 dated 15 March 2017, sanctioning the plantation of 68 lakh seedlings under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme. The programme covers Panchayat lands, government lands, government and private institutions, schools, colleges and other suitable areas, with an estimated cost of Rs.165.47 crore and approved maintenance guidelines.
What the government sanctioned
The Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (CGS.1) Department issued G.O.(Ms) No.31 dated 15 March 2017. It sanctions a massive tree plantation programme for 68 lakh fruit bearing and timber producing seedlings, coordinated with the Forest Department and funded under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme.
The programme is intended to maintain ecological balance, increase green cover in rural areas, reduce the effect of environmental pollutants and provide possible additional revenue sources to Village Panchayats.
Land and institutions covered
G.O.(Ms) No.31 dated 15 March 2017 permits planting at the following types of locations:
- Panchayat lands.
- Government lands.
- Government institutions.
- Private institutions.
- Schools and colleges.
- Other suitable areas.
The document does not provide a process for selecting individual properties or state that private ownership is transferred. Owners or managers of private institutions, schools and colleges may need to check whether their land has been identified for planting and what permission or local arrangements apply.
Approved work and cost
The Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (CGS.1) Department approved an estimated total cost of Rs.165.47 crore for planting and maintaining 68 lakh seedlings for one year, calculated at Rs.243.34 per plant.
Key approved activities include:
- Jungle clearance where jungles exist at the proposed site.
- Digging pits and planting seedlings.
- Providing tree guards.
- Transportation.
- Watering, weeding, mulching and manuring.
The funding table allocates Rs.164.79 crore to the labour component as a 100 per cent Central share. The material component is Rs.0.68 crore, comprising a Central share of Rs.0.51 crore and a State share of Rs.0.17 crore.
Maintenance arrangements
The guidelines attached to G.O.(Ms) No.31 dated 15 March 2017 state that maintenance should continue for three years immediately after plantation. Maintenance is treated as a separate work and includes watering, weed removal, mulching and manuring.
Plants may be allotted to Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme job card holders for maintenance, up to 200 plants per household. Where possible and with due permission, job card holders maintaining plants may receive rights to use their produce, providing a livelihood incentive.
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
Can seedlings be planted on private property under this programme?
The programme includes private institutions among the suitable planting locations. The document does not specify the property selection or permission process.
Does G.O.(Ms) No.31 transfer ownership of land used for planting?
The document sanctions planting and maintenance activities but does not set out any transfer of land ownership.
How long must the planted trees be maintained?
The attached maintenance guidelines provide for three years of maintenance starting immediately after plantation. The sanctioned cost calculation separately covers plantation activities and maintenance for one year.
Can job card holders receive benefits from the trees they maintain?
Where possible and with due permission, job card holders may receive rights to use produce from the plants they maintain. A household may be allotted up to 200 plants.
