The Chief Minister Plantation Incentive Scheme, aimed at promoting agro-forestry in Chhattisgarh, will be implemented from June 1.
All citizens, village panchayats and Joint Forest Management Committees are eligible to benefit of the scheme. The Forest and Climate Change Department has issued directives to all Collectors and Divisional Forest Officers, an official statement said on Sunday.
Under the scheme, farmers having taken paddy in kharif 2020, if they carry out plantation, then for next three years they will be given an incentive of Rs 10,000 per acre each year.
The village panchayat with its available funds carries out commercial plantation. After one year, if success is achieved in plantation, the state government will provide Rs 10,000 per acre as incentive to the panchayat.
The Joint Forest Management Committees have to carry out plantation utilizing their available funds on revenue land. Like Panchayats, they will also get Rs 10,000 per acre on the success of the plantation.
The plantation of trees can be commercial and non-commercial species. Fruit bearing trees, bamboo and other forest minor produce and medicinal plants will also be covered. The Forest department will prepare the saplings.
The concept is to reduce the import of woods and reduce pressure on existing forests.