Landowners can get trees felled on their own land, CG Govt simplifies process
Raipur: Chhattisgarh government has simplified the rules for the felling of planted and naturally grown trees on private land. Now, no permission will be required for the felling of trees (planted for agricultural purposes), the land owners will only have to give information to the Sub-Divisional Officer (Revenue) in this regard. They will also be able to get trees cut by the Forest Department.
Similarly, for the felling of naturally growing trees, the land owner will have to submit the application to the Sub-Divisional Officer (Revenue). The SDO will have to give written permission in a fixed time period under the prescribed procedure. If the applicant does not get permission after the time limit, then he/she will be free to cut the tree.
For permission to cut naturally grown trees, the SDO will have to give permission under the prescribed procedure within 45 working days of receipt of the application. If the applicant does not receive written permission, he will be able to give a reminder letter. If the written permission is not received from the SDO within the next 30 working days, it will be treated as permission and the landowner will be free to cut the trees. The sub-divisional officer (Revenue) will be responsible for any delays or violations of rules in this regard. In a calendar year, permission will be given to fell a maximum of 4 naturally grown trees per acre and a maximum of 10 trees on the land.
Joint inspection will be done by Revenue Officer and Forest Officer on the basis of the submitted given by the land owner. The inspection report will be given in 30 working days. The land owner will be able to fell the trees planted for agricultural purposes on the basis of registration in the revenue records. It is mandatory to give information in the prescribed format to the Sub-Divisional Officer, Revenue and Forest Range Officer clearly mentioning the reason, species and number of trees to be felled one month before a tree felling. Document and physical verification of the information and self-declaration submitted by the land owner, before tree felling, will be ensured by the Sub-Divisional Officer through Revenue, Patwari and Forester.
