One crore teak saplings to be planted every year, announces CM

Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar | Photo Credit: File Photo Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Saturday announced that the State government would launch a ‘Teak Wealth’ scheme under which one crore teak saplings would be planted every year on farmers’ and government land along both sides of government roads.Speaking after inaugurating the 111th Jayanti Mahotsava of Shivaratri Rajendra Swami at Suttur Mutt here, Mr. Shivakumar said the Forest Department would provide the saplings, while farmers or landowners would be responsible for their maintenance.Under the proposed scheme, 70% of the returns from the teak trees would accrue to farmers or landowners and 30% to the government, he said.“This will be a unique initiative based on cooperation between the government and landowners to increase the State’s forest wealth. Over the next 25 years, it will create substantial green wealth for Karnataka,” he said.The Forest Department and private nurseries would be encouraged to raise teak saplings on a large scale. Forest officials had expressed the view that the initiative would help increase the State’s green cover, he said.Recalling an initiative during the tenure of former Chief Minister S.M. Krishna to plant five crore saplings with the support of Adichunchanagiri Mutt seer Balagangadharanatha Swami, Mr. Shivakumar said the proposed programme was being conceived along similar lines.Mr. Shivakumar said he had recently explained at a meeting chaired by the Union Home Minister in Chennai that the Mekedatu project would benefit Tamil Nadu as well as Karnataka.“Following this, the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister has come forward for discussions. On the Tungabhadra issue too, discussions have been held with Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. The Centre has said it will formulate a new policy for desilting the Almatti and KRS reservoirs. For the first time, the Chief Ministers of three States have come together on an inter-State irrigation issue. This is a historic development,” he said.Recalling the contribution of Shivaratri Rajendra Mahaswami, Mr. Shivakumar said the seer had brought about an educational revolution at a young age and found fulfilment through the tradition of Trividha Dasoha.He said mutts had made a significant contribution to the educational revolution in South India and had played an important role in Karnataka emerging as an educational hub.Defending the State government’s guarantee schemes, Mr. Shivakumar said Karnataka was spending ₹20,000 crore on free electricity for agricultural pump sets and ₹52,000 crore on the five guarantee schemes.“Opposition parties initially criticised the guarantee schemes, but other States later followed Karnataka’s model. Maharashtra too announced guarantees, but could not keep its word. A true leader is one who fulfils the promises made. Our government has kept its word,” he said. Published - August 29, 2026 09:02 pm IST