The cost of timber will be paid directly into the bank account of the Bhumiswami (land owner).
Tribal Communities expressed gratitude towards the Chief Minister for this initiative in the interest of Tribals
Raipur,15 September 2022
The Chhattisgarh Adim Jan Jatiyon Ka Sanrakshan (Vrakshon me Hit) Adhiniyam 1999 was amended on Chief Minister Mr. Bhupesh Baghel’s initiative to provide better facilities and convenience to Tribals in regard to the felling of trees on their land or farms. The tribals had to face numerous complexities due to the old Act, which involved a tedious process. Due to the lengthy process involved in obtaining permission for the felling of trees, overgrown and uncut trees would fall in tribals houses in times of storms and excessive rainfalls, this was a common phenomenon that resulted in financial loss for tribals. But, In the amended Act, these difficulties have been removed and the rules related to the felling of trees have been simplified and permission can be obtained in a short time span. Moreover,after the felling of trees,the cost of timber will be directly transferred to the Bhumiswami (land owners) bank account. The tribal society said that these new rules will bring great relief to their community and expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister for these efforts made in the interest of tribals.
According to the amended act of 2022, now the tribals will have to take permission for cutting trees in their land or fields from the sub-divisional officer (revenue) of the concerned area, whereas earlier the right to give permission was with the district collector. A provision has also been made that involves site checking which will be done in a rapid manner by the Forest and Revenue Department jointly. Whereas in the old Act, the process involving site checks was a time taking and tedious process as the site check was required to be done several times by the officers. Under the old Act,the felling of trees for wood worth only Rs 50,000 was allowed. Now with the amendment of the act, this sale limit has been removed. Moreover, in the old act, the cost of timber after the felling of trees was paid in the joint bank account of the collector and the landowner. Now the cost of timber will be paid directly into the bank account of the land owner.
It is worth mentioning that in the old act, the Bhumiswami (the land owner) could withdraw only Rs. Five thousand in a month from the joint account and for the withdrawal of this amount, a signature from the collector was required which made the process even lengthier. But the new amended act gives the freedom to the Bhumiswami to use his bank account at his own discretion and needs.
