The Tamil Nadu government has recently introduced significant regulations to protect the palmyra tree, recognized as the state’s official tree. Under new guidelines issued last week, felling a palmyra tree is now permitted only in unavoidable situations, and for each tree cut, a mandatory replacement of at least ten palmyra saplings is required. Crucially, any felling must receive prior official permission and occur under the direct supervision of government officials.
For individuals or organizations needing to cut down a palmyra tree due to unavoidable circumstances, applications for permission can be submitted through the ‘Uzhavan’ mobile-based app. A regional monitoring committee, led by an Assistant Director of Agriculture, will then conduct on-site verifications to assess the necessity of the felling. Their findings will be forwarded to the district-level monitoring committee, which is headed by the respective Collector.
The district-level committee is tasked with granting permission within one month of receiving an application, and their decision is final. Applicants are strictly forbidden from cutting down any palmyra tree until formal permission is obtained. Furthermore, authorized officials will be present during the felling to ensure compliance. The transportation of these felled trees is also regulated, requiring necessary documentation from the Director of Horticulture and Plantation Crops.
Beyond regulatory measures, the regional committee will actively conduct field surveys, collaborating with Village Administrative Officers and Assistant Directors of Agriculture to maintain an accurate palmyra tree registry. This committee will also organize extensive awareness programs for farmers, highlighting the numerous benefits of palmyra trees and clarifying the strict guidelines for their felling. These educational sessions are planned to be held during local gram sabha meetings.
The palmyra tree was officially declared the ‘State tree’ of Tamil Nadu in June 1988. In 2021, the Agriculture Minister initially announced plans to make permission mandatory for cutting these trees. By December of the same year, the State government issued directives to prevent the felling of palmyra trees, particularly to discourage their use in brick kilns. District Collectors were empowered to review requests for felling under unavoidable conditions, though detailed operational guidelines were not released until now.
According to data from the Tamil Nadu Khadi and Village Industries Board (2019-2020), Tamil Nadu is home to approximately five crore palmyra trees. The Tamil Nadu Agricultural University further states that half of India’s estimated 10 crore palmyra trees are located within the state. These trees support the livelihoods of about three lakh farmers, and the export of palm products makes a significant contribution to the State’s economy. For the past three years, the Tamil Nadu government has been dedicatedly implementing a mission focused on protecting this vital state tree.