Tree plantations by Government departments etc.

(1) The Authority may formulate guidelines for tree plantations along with the road margins, canal banks, tank fore shores and water bodies: Provided that the cost of plantation and further maintenance shall be included in the cost of formation of the roads, canals and tanks and suitable amount may be earmarked for plantation and protection of trees within any of the existing provisions for supervision or miscellaneous or unforeseen expenditure under all works estimates as prescribed. (2) The Authority may direct the Local Authorities to ensure tree plantation in the fore shore areas of the open water bodies. (3) All agricultural land owners except small and marginal farmers and wetland owners as determined by the Government shall plant trees in their land holding as proscribed by the Authority upto 5% of their total land holding and felling permission for trees shall be given only when the land owner plants trees in equal extent of land: Provided that the area covered by the existing tree growth including fruit bearing horticultural crops shell be included while calculating the area under tree growth: Provided further that suitable incentives, as may be prescribed, shall be given to the land owner who plants tree species in his total land holding. (4) The government may constitute a committee for protection and maintenance of the plantations raised in the lands raised outside the forest and the said committee shall function as may be prescribed.