Madhya Pradesh Forest Department runs Lok Vaniki Yojana for landowners, Gram Panchayats and Gram Sabhas who want to manage tree-covered land on private and revenue areas in a scientific way. Applications are accepted through the Divisional Forest Office round the year, and the scheme works under Madhya Pradesh Lok Vaniki Adhiniyam, 2001, with rules notified in 2002.
Anyone holding tree-clad private land can prepare a Technical Management Plan (Prabandh Yojana) and get it approved. Once approved, felling and harvesting of trees on that land is allowed as per the plan, without running behind separate permissions every time. As of August 2026, no closure or replacement notice has been issued for this scheme, and the 2001 Act along with 2002 rules stays the working base.
Madhya Pradesh Lok Vaniki Yojana 2026 details
Scheme covers tree-clad private land and revenue land declared as Lok Van. A landowner joins on their own wish, no one is forced. For revenue land, Gram Panchayat or Gram Sabha applies to the Tehsildar first so that the land gets marked as Lok Van, and after handover the Panchayat manages it.
Main aim is simple. Private tree areas were getting degraded because owners had no clear legal route to manage or harvest. This scheme gives that route through an approved plan, so trees are cut in a planned cycle and replanting also happens. Forest Department gives technical guidance, and the Competent Authority (Samyak Pradhikari) checks the work under the Divisional Forest Officer.
Highlights of Lok Vaniki Yojana
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Madhya Pradesh Lok Vaniki Yojana |
| Launched By | Forest Department, Government of Madhya Pradesh |
| Legal Base | Madhya Pradesh Lok Vaniki Adhiniyam, 2001 and Lok Vaniki Rules, 2002 |
| State | Madhya Pradesh |
| Eligible people | Private landowners, Gram Panchayats, Gram Sabhas |
| Benefit Type | Legal approval and technical guidance for managing tree-clad land |
| Application Mode | Offline, through Divisional Forest Officer, Range Officer or Tehsildar |
| Official Website | mpforest.gov.in |
| Status in 2026 | Running |
Apply process for Lok Vaniki Yojana
Whole process is offline and moves through the forest office of your division. Papers have to be complete, otherwise the file goes back. Steps are given below in order.
STEP 1 - If you own the land privately, give your management proposal to the Divisional Forest Officer (Van Mandal Adhikari) or the Range Officer (Van Kshetra Adhikari) of your area. If you are applying for a Gram Panchayat or Gram Sabha, first give an application to the Tehsildar so that the revenue land is demarcated and marked as Lok Van.
STEP 2 - Tehsildar has to decide on the demarcation within 30 days, and after approval the land handover is finished within 15 days. Gram Panchayat then passes a resolution and submits it to the Tehsildar for record.
STEP 3 - Get a Technical Management Plan prepared for your plot. This plan covers tree species, soil and moisture protection, the felling cycle, replanting and the years in which harvesting will be done.
STEP 4 - Submit five copies of the plan in Form 1 for private land, or Form 2 for Lok Van land, to the Divisional Forest Officer along with your Khasra copy and title papers.
STEP 5 - Competent Authority visits the plot, checks whether the plan can actually work on the ground, and may ask for changes.
STEP 6 - Divisional Forest Officer approves the plan. If the plan involves harvesting more than 10 cubic metre of timber, the state government also reviews it before approval.
STEP 7 - After approval you get an order in Form 3 or Form 4. For plans with less than 10 cubic metre harvesting, if no reply comes within 30 days, the plan is treated as approved.
Who can apply
Eligibility is kept wide so that small owners are also covered. Check the points below before making the file.
- Landowners of Madhya Pradesh holding tree-clad private land who want to manage and harvest it under an approved plan.
- Gram Panchayats and Gram Sabhas that want to manage revenue land of their village after it is marked as Lok Van.
- Joint owners can also apply, but written consent of all coparceners has to be attached with the file.
- Applicant must be able to show land title, mainly the latest Khasra copy with a declaration of possession.
Benefits and conditions
Biggest gain is legal clarity. With an approved plan, harvesting and transit of timber from your own land becomes a settled process instead of a case-to-case permission problem. Land productivity also improves because replanting and soil work are part of the same plan.
Some conditions come along with the approval. Plan has to be followed exactly as approved. For Lok Van areas, the Social Audit Committee resolution of the Gram Sabha is required for the work. Before felling, a notice has to be given to the Range Officer or Tehsildar at least seven days earlier. A register of all felled trees has to be kept in the format given in the plan. All work must finish inside the given time, and approval can be cancelled if rules are broken.
Documents required
Keep these papers ready before going to the forest office, since the plan copies take time to prepare.
- Latest Khasra copy of the land, attested.
- Self declaration about land title and present possession.
- Patta or other land ownership paper.
- Demarcation certificate from the revenue office.
- Five copies of the Technical Management Plan with a proper plot map.
- Survey report or tree valuation detail of the plot.
- Consent letter of all joint owners, if the land is jointly held.
- Gram Panchayat or Gram Sabha resolution and handover papers for Lok Van land.
Helpline and contact
For any doubt on forms, plan format or demarcation, contact the office of the Divisional Forest Officer of your district. State level details are given on the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department website. Other state schemes such as compensation for human death or injury caused by wild animals and compensation for livestock loss caused by wild animals are also handled by the same department. A full list is available on the Madhya Pradesh government schemes page.
References
Official documents and rules can be checked at these sources.
- Madhya Pradesh Lok Vaniki Adhiniyam, 2001 (PDF)
- Lok Vaniki Rules, 2002 with Form 1 to Form 4 (PDF)
- Lok Vaniki Rules on India Code
- Madhya Pradesh Forest Department official website
FAQ's
Is Lok Vaniki Yojana still running in 2026?
Yes. Scheme works under Lok Vaniki Adhiniyam, 2001 and the 2002 rules, and applications are taken through the Divisional Forest Office. No closure notice has been issued.
How many copies of the Technical Management Plan are needed?
Five copies of the complete plan have to be submitted with the application form and land papers.
Who verifies the boundary if my land touches forest land?
Forest Range Officer (Van Parikshetra Adhikari) checks and confirms the exact boundary on the spot.
What happens if no decision comes in 30 days?
For plans with harvesting below 10 cubic metre, the plan is treated as approved if no decision is given within 30 days of submission.
Can a Gram Panchayat manage revenue land under this scheme?
Yes, but the Panchayat has to first apply to the Tehsildar to get the land demarcated and declared as Lok Van, and then manage it after handover.
Is any fee charged for applying?
No separate scheme fee is charged by the Forest Department. Cost mainly comes from preparing the management plan, survey and map work.
Do joint owners need to sign?
Yes. Written consent of all coparceners is required, otherwise the file is not accepted.
Is prior notice needed before cutting trees?
Yes. Notice has to be given to the Range Officer or Tehsildar at least seven days before felling starts.