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Departments

Forests

Permission to cut a tree

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Contact information

Tamil Nadu Secretariat
Minister in-charge

Hon'ble Dr. K. Ponmudy - Minister for Forests

Headquarters & office address

Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Panagal Maaligai, Saidapet, Chennai 600015

Email address
secyfor@tn.gov.in

Directorates, boards & agencies under this department

  • Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Head of Forest Force)
  • Wildlife Protection and Sanctuaries Wing
  • Arignar Anna Zoological Park (Vandalur)
  • Tamil Nadu Green Climate Company

Related topics & services

Frequently asked citizen questions (FAQs)

How to get forest transit and felling permission for timber trees?

Felling and transporting scheduled timber trees grown on private patta land is regulated under the Tamil Nadu Timber Transit Rules.

Exempted species (No felling permission required):

  • Casuarina, Eucalyptus, Subabul, Neem, and common agricultural fruit trees do not require cutting permits.

Scheduled species (Prior permit mandatory):

  • Teak, Rosewood, Red Sanders, and Sandalwood require felling permission and a forest transit pass.
  • Sandalwood trees can only be extracted and auctioned through the State Forest Depot, with net proceeds remitted to the tree owner.

How to apply:

  • Apply online at forests.tn.gov.in or submit an application to the local Forest Range Officer (FRO) with Land Patta and VAO ownership certificate.
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How to claim ex-gratia compensation for wildlife attacks or crop damage?

The Forest Department provides ex-gratia compensation for human death, injuries, livestock predation, and agricultural crop damage caused by wildlife encounters.

Ex-gratia compensation rates:

  • Human death or permanent incapacitation: ₹10,00,000 ex-gratia to legal heirs.
  • Grievous injury: Up to ₹1,00,000 for hospital medical expenses.
  • Crop damage by elephants/wild boars: ₹25,000 to ₹50,000 per acre based on crop assessment.
  • Cattle loss: Up to ₹30,000 per milch cow/buffalo; ₹3,000 per goat/sheep.

Immediate procedure:

  • Notify the local Forest Range Office immediately.
  • Joint inspection conducted by Forest and Revenue officials; interim emergency relief released within 24 to 48 hours.
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Where can individuals get native saplings under Green Tamil Nadu Mission?

The Green Tamil Nadu Mission aims to increase the state's forest and tree canopy to 33% by planting native trees suited to local agro-climatic zones.

Native saplings distributed:

  • Neem, Pungam, Marudham, Poovarasu, Jamun, Teak, and Malai Vembu.

Where to collect:

  • Available at nominal rates (or free for public institutions) at all Forest Department Central Nurseries across districts.
  • Schools, colleges, and NGOs can place bulk requisitions online at greentnmission.com.

Agro-forestry for farmers:

  • Farmers can obtain commercial timber saplings for bund planting through Forest Extension Centers.
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