Maharashtra govt releases Rs 90.72 lakh for tree plantation maintenance amid drought in 304 talukas

Maharashtra government has sanctioned Rs 9072 lakh for the maintenance of tree plantations across the state for 202627 with a minimum 90 per cent sapling survival rate made mandatory for the release of funds reported the PTIThe allocation comes as 304 of the states 358 talukas have been declared droughtaffected following poor rainfall this year raising concerns over water availabilityAccording to a Government Resolution GR issued by the Revenue and Forest Department on Thursday the funds will be used for the fourthyear maintenance of plantations under the Panchayat Van Bel Van and Amrut Van components of a state afforestation scheme the news agency reportedPune gets highest allocationThe funds will cover plantations spread across 227 hectares in various districtsThe Pune forest circle has received the highest allocation of Rs 4280 lakh followed by Nagpur with Rs 2080 lakh and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar with Rs 2076 lakhThe GR states that funds will be released only for plantation sites where at least 90 per cent of the saplings have survived Local selfhelp groups and biodiversity management committees will be responsible for the maintenance protection and upkeep of the plantations according to the PTIThe Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Budget Planning and Development Maharashtra has been directed to ensure that the prescribed conditions are followed and submit a utilisation certificate for the released funds within seven daysAllocation comes amid drought concernsThe funding comes amid concerns over water availability after poor rainfall this year The state government has declared 304 of Maharashtras 358 talukas droughtaffectedOn Monday the government issued an order for soil and water conservation works in these 304 talukas where droughtrelated triggers were activated during the 2026 Kharif season The measures include constructing water absorption pits desilting water bodies and repairing check damsThree components of afforestation schemeThe state launched the afforestation initiative in 2023 under the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav programme to mark the 75th anniversary of Indias Independence It aims to expand green cover and strengthen ecological stability in urban and rural areas as well as at religious sites as per the PTIThe initiative has three components mdash Amrut Van Panchayat Van and Bel Van mdash focusing on urban centres villages and prominent pilgrimage sites respectivelyThe Amrut Van component aims to develop dedicated urban forestry gardens in 75 major cities and key urban centres using indigenous tree species on land belonging to local authorities or the Forest Department reported the PTIUnder the Panchayat Van initiative woodland clusters are to be developed in 25 selected villages in every district Each cluster will feature five culturally significant and ecologically suitable tree species to promote biodiversityThe Bel Van component focuses on plantations at 75 prominent pilgrimage and religious sites across MaharashtraThese plantations include sacred and medicinal species such as bael Sita Ashok rudraksha ber and swastik plants bringing environmental conservation together with the states religious and cultural traditions the news agency reportedwith PTI inputs