Launched by the Karnataka Forest Department in 2011-12, the Krushi Aranya Protsaha Yojane (KAPY) is designed to encourage farmers and the public to increase forest and tree cover. Under this scheme, farmers receive subsidized seedlings to plant on their land, and they are further incentivized through a three-year nurturing period to ensure high survival rates and proper growth.
Objectives
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Increase Forest and Tree Cover:
Promote widespread participation among farmers and the public in afforestation efforts. -
Enhance Quality & Sustainability:
Ensure the planting of appropriate tree species (excluding invasive or ineligible species) to maintain ecological balance. -
Economic Benefits:
Provide financial incentives that more than compensate for the costs of procuring and planting seedlings, and offer long-term benefits through fruits, timber, fodder, and other products from mature trees.
Benefits
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Subsidized Seedlings:
Seedlings are provided at subsidized rates from the nearest nurseries of the Forest Department. -
Monetary Incentives:
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Rs 35 per surviving seedling at the end of the first year.
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Rs 40 per surviving seedling after the second year.
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Rs 50 per surviving seedling after the third year.
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Total incentive per seedling is Rs 125.
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Long-Term Returns:
In addition to the direct subsidy, farmers benefit from the yield of fruits, seeds, fodder, firewood, poles, timber, and other useful products as the trees mature.
Eligibility
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Who Can Apply:
All farmers in Karnataka, regardless of community. -
Land Requirement:
Applicants must possess land, verified by a valid Pahani (RTC), where the planting is proposed. -
Registration Timing:
Registration must be completed before the rainy season begins (by the end of May). -
Ineligible Tree Species:
The following species are excluded to promote ecological balance and prevent the spread of invasive species:
Eucalyptus, Acacia, Silver Oak (if planted in coffee estates), Casuarina, Cassia siamea (Seemetangadi), Gliricidia, Sesbania, Erythrina, Rubber, Subabul, Coconut, Arecanut, Orange, all types of citrus species, and grafted mango.
Application Process
Mode: Offline
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Obtain the Application Form:
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Visit the nearest Range Forest Office to collect the prescribed application form.
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Complete the Form:
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Fill in all mandatory fields, including name, address, and contact details.
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Attach a passport-sized photograph (signed across if required).
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Include necessary details such as the Pahani of the land, a hand-sketch of the land, and specifics about the seedlings (species, number, and poly-bag sizes).
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Provide bank account details for subsidy disbursement.
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Submit the Application:
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Submit the completed form along with a registration fee of Rs 10 at the designated office (e.g., at the Department of Forests or local BDO office).
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Ensure you obtain a receipt or acknowledgment with a submission date and identification number.
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Documents Required
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Proof of Identity:
Copy of Aadhaar Card. -
Photograph:
Passport-sized photograph of the applicant. -
Land Records:
Pahani (RTC) and a hand-sketch of the land where planting is proposed. -
Seedling Details:
Information on the species, number of seedlings, and poly-bag sizes. -
Bank Details:
Documented details of the applicant’s bank account. -
Additional Documents:
Any additional documents as required by the scheme guidelines.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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Who is eligible for KAPY?
All farmers in Karnataka with valid land records (Pahani/RTC) are eligible, regardless of community. -
What incentives are provided?
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Rs 35 per seedling after the first year.
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Rs 40 per seedling after the second year.
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Rs 50 per seedling after the third year, totaling Rs 125 per seedling.
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What tree species are excluded?
Species such as Eucalyptus, Acacia, Silver Oak (in coffee estates), Casuarina, Cassia siamea, Gliricidia, Sesbania, Erythrina, Rubber, Subabul, Coconut, Arecanut, Orange, all types of citrus, and grafted mango are not eligible. -
How is the application submitted?
Applications must be submitted offline after filling the prescribed form, along with necessary documents and a Rs 10 fee. -
Can I apply online?
No, the scheme requires offline submission. -
How do I track my application?
Ensure you obtain a receipt with a unique identification number at the time of submission.