Maharashtra Allocates ₹90.72 Lakh for Tree Plantation Maintenance Amid Drought
The Maharashtra government has approved ₹90.72 lakh for maintaining tree plantations in drought-affected regions, ensuring sapling survival.
Funds allocated for the upkeep of plantations in 304 drought-affected talukas.
Pune receives the largest share of ₹42.80 lakh for tree maintenance.
Local groups will manage the plantations, focusing on ecological stability.
On October 30, the Maharashtra government announced a financial allocation of ₹90.72 lakh aimed at maintaining tree plantations across the state, particularly in areas grappling with drought. This decision comes as 304 out of the state's 358 talukas have been declared drought-affected, emphasizing the urgent need for ecological preservation amid water scarcity.
The funds are designated for the fourth-year maintenance of various plantation schemes, including ‘Panchayat Van’, ‘Bel Van’, and ‘Amrut Van’, as outlined in a Government Resolution from the Revenue and Forest Department. The initiative is part of a broader strategy to enhance green cover and ensure the survival of saplings, with a strict requirement that at least 90 percent of the planted saplings must remain alive for the funds to be disbursed.
The allocation will support plantations spread over 227 hectares across several districts. The Pune forest circle has received the highest funding of ₹42.80 lakh, followed by ₹20.80 lakh for Nagpur and ₹20.76 lakh for Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. Local self-help groups and biodiversity management committees are tasked with the maintenance and protection of these plantations, ensuring that the ecological balance is upheld.
This funding initiative is particularly timely, given the concerns regarding water availability due to insufficient rainfall this year. In response to the drought situation, the Maharashtra government has implemented various measures, including soil and water conservation projects in the affected talukas. These efforts involve constructing water absorption pits, desilting water bodies, and repairing check dams to mitigate the impact of the drought.
The recent Government Resolution also mandates that the Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests must ensure compliance with the funding conditions and submit a utilization certificate within seven days. Furthermore, the state has launched an afforestation initiative as part of the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ to commemorate 75 years of independence, aiming to enhance green cover and ecological stability across urban and rural landscapes.
