Document Type: Government Circular / Administrative Order (Shasan Paripatra)
Reference Number: MYS-0516/Pr.Kr.96/RAUSHU-1, dated 9 June 2016
Issued By: Government of Maharashtra, Home Department (Grah Vibhag)
Effective Date: 1 July 2016 (implementation date for tree plantation programme)
Summary:
This circular directs all State Excise Department offices under the Home Department to participate in a massive afforestation campaign (Vanmahotsav) scheduled for 1 July 2016, with the objective of planting a minimum of 2 crore (20 million) trees across Maharashtra on a single day. The campaign aims to increase forest cover from the current 20% to meet the National Forest Policy target of 33% of total geographical area. The State Excise Department is assigned the responsibility of organizing tree plantations at departmental offices, inspection offices, district superintendent offices, and officer/employee residential areas. The circular provides detailed instructions on planning, implementation, monitoring, online real-time data capture, species selection, seedling procurement, coordination mechanisms at district/taluka/village levels, survival rate targets (80-90%), and submission of quarterly reports to the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Forest Force Chief) and the Secretary (Forests).
Key Provisions:
1. Objective & Scope
- Plant a minimum of 2 crore trees on 1 July 2016 across Maharashtra during the monsoon season (Vanmahotsav 2016)
- Forest Department/Social Forestry Department and Forest Development Corporation to plant minimum 1.50 crore (15 million) trees
- Remaining 50 lakh (5 million) trees to be planted by other departments
- Increase forest cover to meet National Forest Policy 1988 target of 33% of geographical area (currently 20% in Maharashtra)
2. Participating Departments
- All offices under State Excise Department functioning under Home Department
- Government offices, departmental headquarters, district superintendent offices, inspection offices
- Officer and employee residential areas and adjoining premises
3. Tree Planting Targets & Locations
- Minimum 5 trees to be planted at each departmental office location
- Number may vary based on space availability at specific locations
- Additional locations to be identified in consultation with:
- Voluntary organizations / NGOs
- Private entrepreneurs
- Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives
- Cooperative societies
- Social organizations and mandals
- Local self-government institutions (Gram Panchayats, Municipal Corporations, Zilla Parishads)
- Local elected representatives (Corporators, Councilors, MLAs, MPs)
4. Administrative Structure & Coordination
- Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Forest Force Chief), Nagpur — overall coordination and control
- Secretary (Forests), Ministry of Forests — coordination
- Home Department — monitoring and supervision
- Additional Principal Chief Conservator (IT & Policy), Forest Building, Nagpur — development of online tracking software
- District Collector — Chairperson of District-Level Committee
- District-Level, Taluka-Level, and Village-Level Committees established for planning, implementation, coordination, and supervision
- Deputy Commissioner of Social Forestry (Sub-Divisional Level) and Plantation Officer (Taluka Level) — nodal officers for seedling availability and coordination
5. Nodal Officers to be Appointed at Multiple Levels
- Departmental/Regional Level
- District Level
- Taluka Level
- Individual site-level responsible officer/employee for each planting location
6. Responsible Officers
- Each site's office head — responsible for maintenance, care, and protection of planted trees
- Deputy Commissioner of Social Forestry and Taluka-Level Plantation Officer — designated as nodal officers for seedling procurement
- Additional Commissioner, State Excise — declared as Controlling Officer for State Excise offices
7. Pre-Monsoon Preparation (To be completed by 31 May 2016)
- Identify specific plantation sites with latitude-longitude coordinates and GPS locations (where possible)
- Submit site information to Principal Chief Conservator, Secretary (Forests), and Home Department by 20 May 2016 using prescribed Format-1
- Prepare pits/holes for planting
- Arrange soil, manure, pesticides
- Prepare seedbeds and nurseries
- Prepare transport plan for seedling movement from nearby nurseries
- Plan for adequate labor availability on planting day
- Ensure availability of good-quality, sturdy seedlings of adequate height by 30 June 2016
8. Seedling Procurement Sources
- Primary: MGNREGA, Road and Building (RB) Organization, Vanmahotsav scheme, and CAMP nurseries
- Secondary: Agricultural Department and Planning Department (RB Organization) nurseries
- CSR initiatives (where feasible)
- Distribution through Deputy Commissioner of Social Forestry and Taluka Plantation Officers
9. Species Selection (with mandatory inclusion)
- Preference to species suitable to local climate, water availability, and geographical conditions
- Mandatory species to include: Mango (Aam), Cashew (Kaju), Custard Apple (Sitaphal), Indian Gooseberry (Aavla), Bitter Guard (Karith), Cashew (Kaju), Sal (Shala), Date Palm (Khajuri), Neem, Palaash, Cassia (Kanyasia), Rain Tree (Raintree), Gulmohar, and Teak (Chikhalwali)
- Species selection to support animal-wildlife habitation, food chains, and biodiversity conservation
- Local species preferences permitted based on specific site conditions
10. Real-Time Online Data Capture (from 6 AM to 6 PM on 1 July 2016)
- Every implementing agency to submit reports to District Collector every 2 hours
- Data to include:
- Number of trees planted
- Names of individuals/organizations involved
- Tree species/varieties
- Photographs (where possible)
- Tree count, species information, selected locations
- Real-time updates uploaded to online system as planting progresses
- Software developed by Additional Principal Chief Conservator (IT & Policy) with features for:
- GPS location mapping
- Pit preparation records
- Implementation agency details
- Photographs
- Species information
- Location details
11. Implementation Structure
- District Level: District Collector as Committee Chairperson with prescribed membership and functions (detailed in Government Resolution dated 31.03.2016)
- Taluka Level: Taluka-level committees established
- Village Level: Village-level committees established
- Detailed instructions on composition and powers in referenced GR (SAAVDI-2015/Pr.Kr.131/F-11, dated 31.03.2016), available at www.maharashtra.gov.in (Reference Code: 201604011917405119)
12. Technical & Administrative Support
- Local Forest and Social Forestry Department officers to provide guidance on:
- Pre-monsoon works
- Seedling availability
- Species selection
- Maintenance and supervision
- Involvement of:
- Students
- Citizens
- Volunteers
- NGOs
- Private sector
- Elected representatives and dignitaries (where feasible)
13. Post-Plantation Care & Maintenance (Survival Target: 80-90%)
- Plan for immediate visual impact through:
- Conservation measures
- Water supply/irrigation arrangements
- Fencing (biodegradable or plastic/wire fencing to protect seedlings from animals)
- Permanent inspection and care schedules
- Regular maintenance and upkeep
- Monitoring of tree survival rate (minimum 80-90%)
- Quarterly reports on maintenance and survival to be submitted by District Collector and Divisional Officer (Revenue) to:
- Principal Chief Conservator (Forest Force Chief), Nagpur
- Secretary (Forests)
- Home Department
- Reports to be submitted in prescribed Format-2 (attached to GR)
14. Funding
- Expenses to be met from sanctioned allocations of respective departments
- Where budget constraints exist, Forest and Social Forestry Department to provide free seedlings
- Both recipient and supplier departments to maintain proper records and accounting
- Information to be forwarded to Principal Chief Conservator, Secretary (Forests), and Home Department
15. Oversight & Monitoring
- District and Taluka committees to monitor implementation, coordination, and supervision
- Online monitoring through software developed by Additional Principal Chief Conservator (IT & Policy)
- Quarterly reports on maintenance, care, and tree survival
- Daily coordination between District Collector and relevant officials
16. Responsibilities of Chief, State Excise Department & Deputy Commissioner
- Deputy Commissioner, State Excise to coordinate all offices under State Excise jurisdiction
- Additional Commissioner, State Excise designated as Controlling Officer for tree plantation programme at all State Excise offices on 1 July 2016
17. Publication & Portal
Fee Schedule:
None. This is an administrative directive; no fees are prescribed.
Documents/Enclosures Required:
Format-1 (Site Identification Form) — To be submitted by 20 May 2016 containing:
- Site location details
- Latitude-Longitude coordinates
- GPS location (where available)
- Office designation and department
- Estimated number of trees to be planted
- Officer-in-charge details
Format-2 (Quarterly Report Form) — For submission of quarterly progress reports on maintenance, care, and tree survival containing:
- Number of trees planted and surviving
- Species-wise breakup
- Maintenance activities completed
- Tree survival rate (%)
- Challenges/issues faced
- Photographs
- Future maintenance plan
Who Is Affected:
-
State Excise Department (all offices under Home Department jurisdiction)
- Headquarters offices
- Divisional Deputy Commissioner offices
- District Superintendent offices
- Inspection offices
- Officer and employee residential premises
-
Forest and Social Forestry Department (primary implementing agency)
- Target: Plant minimum 1.50 crore trees
- Coordinate seedling supply through nodal officers
-
All Other Maharashtra Government Departments (to plant remaining 50 lakh trees)
-
District Administrations — District Collectors chair implementation committees
-
Local Bodies — Gram Panchayats, Municipal Corporations, Zilla Parishads participate in planning and execution
-
NGOs, Voluntary Organizations, Private Sector, CSR Initiatives — Partner organizations for implementation
-
Local Elected Representatives — MLAs, MPs, Corporators, Village Council members participate in ceremonial plantations
Important Notes / Conditions / Penalties:
1. Mandatory Compliance
- All departmental offices must participate on 1 July 2016
- Minimum tree survival rate target: 80-90%
- No exemptions permitted for State Excise offices
2. Accountability
- Each office head bears direct responsibility for maintenance and protection of planted trees for minimum 4 years
- District Collector and Divisional Officer (Revenue) responsible for quarterly monitoring
- Non-compliance with maintenance targets may invite administrative action
3. Coordination Mechanism
- Implementation failures to be reported to District Collector immediately
- Real-time data capture mandatory — no delayed reporting permitted
- Monthly review of progress at district level
4. Financial Management
- Departments must arrange funds from sanctioned budgets
- Where funds unavailable, Forest Department provides free seedlings (with proper documentation)
- No additional central/state grants provided
5. Appeals/Escalation
- District-level committees empowered to resolve implementation issues
- Escalation to Principal Chief Conservator for major hurdles
6. Special Instructions
- Deputy Commissioner, State Excise to oversee all State Excise Department participation
- Additional Commissioner, State Excise declared Controlling Officer
- Secretary (Forests) and Home Department retain supervisory oversight
7. Reporting Timeline
- Site identification: by 20 May 2016
- Pre-monsoon works completion: by 31 May 2016
- Seedling procurement: by 30 June 2016
- Real-time reporting: 1 July 2016 (every 2 hours)
- Quarterly maintenance reports: ongoing for 4 years post-plantation
8. Related Government Resolution
- GR SAAVDI-2015/Pr.Kr.131/F-11, dated 31 March 2016 governs the constitution, membership, and powers of District/Taluka/Village-Level Committees
- Available at: www.maharashtra.gov.in (Code: 201604011917405119)
9. Digital Publication
- Circular published digitally with signature
- Reference Code: 201606091542032429
- Issued under Governor's authority and countersigned by Deputy Secretary, Home Department
10. Distribution List
Mandatory circulation to:
- Chief Minister's Principal Secretary
- Minister (Excise/Home)
- Deputy Chief Minister / State Minister (Excise)
- Chief Secretary
- Principal Secretary (Excise)
- Commissioner, State Excise
- Additional Commissioner, State Excise
- All Deputy Commissioners, State Excise (Divisional Level)
- All District Superintendents, State Excise
- All Inspection Officers / Cell Officers (Excise)
- Cabinet Secretaries (Excise Cells 1, 2, 3)
SUMMARY FOR QUICK REFERENCE:
This 9 June 2016 circular mandates the State Excise Department and all other Maharashtra government departments to conduct a state-wide tree plantation drive on 1 July 2016 with a target of 2 crore trees (1.50 crore by Forest Dept + 50 lakh by other departments). State Excise offices must plant minimum 5 trees at each location. Implementation is coordinated through district/taluka/village committees with the Principal Chief Conservator as overall coordinator. Real-time data capture is mandatory, and quarterly maintenance reports tracking 80-90% tree survival must be submitted for 4 years. Funding from departmental budgets; free seedlings available from Forest Dept where needed. Additional Commissioner, State Excise appointed as Controlling Officer. No penalties specified for non-compliance, but accountability rests with office heads and district collectors.