The scheme for creation of Maragatha Pooncholai (Village woodlots) in 100 Villages was announced by the Government in 2022-23 in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly. This scheme was conceptualised with the objective of reducing the dependency of local communities on forest by meeting the local requirement of timber, fuelwood and fodder etc, to involve local community in improving the green cover and to provide alternate source of income to them. Government had issued an administrative sanction of Rs.25 crore for the same vide G.O (Ms) No.146, Environment Climate Change and Forest Department, dated:
24.08.2022.
Maragatha Pooncholai can play a vital role in providing natural resources to the local community in their vicinity while reducing biotic pressure on forest areas. It is a unique initiative of the State Government and is serving as a recreation place for villagers and a place to ensure water and climate security for the villages in future.
The state government has already sanctioned 83 Maragatha Pooncholais under Phase-1 and Phase-2 of the project. As of now, 75 Maragatha Pooncholais have been setup across 29 districts in Tamil Nadu. Further, works are nearing completion in 8 Maragatha Pooncholais.
Each Maragatha Pooncholai has been created over an area of 1 hectare with facilities such as fencing, gate with entrance arch, visitors shed, walking pathways, borewell, park benches and other basic amenities. Native species trees which will provide timber, fuel wood, fruits and fodder have been planted in all the Maragatha Pooncholais. Naval, Nelli, Neermaruthu, Badam, Puli, Vilvam, Guava, Red sander, Jack fruit, Mahilam, Punnai, Mango, Neem are major species planted.
In continuation of the above efforts, the state Government has now issued orders for establishing 17 new Maragatha Pooncholais, in 5 districts, at an outlay of Rs. 425 lakhs. These new wood lots will be created in Dindigul (5), Perambalur (4), Kallakurichi (3), Tirupattur (3) and Tiruvannamalai (2) Districts with this Government of Tamil Nadu will have a total of 100 Maragatha Pooncholais.
Additional Chief Secretary to Government
Environment Climate Change and Forest Department
