Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Tuesday launched the Mukhyamantri Vriksh Sampada Yojana with an aim to plant 15 crore trees in five years.
The scheme was launched to mark World Forest Day.
The scheme is to encourage commercial tree plantation. During the launch, 19,653 beneficiaries have registered for the tree plantation which will cover 30,000 acres of private land.
The expectation is an income of Rs 15,000 to Rs 50,000 per acre annually to farmers, an official communication said.
The scheme is open to farmers, willing land owners, government, semi-government, autonomous and private educational institutions, private trusts, Panchayats and land lease holders.
The scheme envisages, 100 percent subsidy by the government for tree plantation up to 5 acres. It would be a 50 percent financial subsidy for tree plantation on more than 5 acres.
The government will decide the minimum procurement price for the sale of earmarked species of trees. The farmers will also earn extra income through carbon credit. This year, 12 species of trees will be planted.
The Chief Minister interacted with the beneficiaries of the scheme across the state.