Maharashtra Forest Land Diversion 2026:
Complete Practical Guide for Civil Engineers

KML File Guidelines + 1-Hectare FRA Checklist + Full FCA Checklist + Tree Ownership (Maliki) Documents for PARIVESH Portal

By Yogendra — Civil / Structural Engineer | PWD Maharashtra
Practical insights for Road, EPC & Infrastructure projects involving forest clearance

As a Civil Engineer working on PWD and EPC projects in Maharashtra, one have to prepare forest diversion proposals. One small mistake in KML file, missing certificate or incomplete tree ownership documents can lead to automatic rejection on PARIVESH portal and months of delay.

This article compiles the latest official guidelines (November 2025) issued by the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Maharashtra) along with the complete checklists for small (≤1 ha) and regular FCA proposals — plus the full list of documents required for Tree Ownership (Maliki Prakaran) Certificate. Everything you need in one place — ready to use for your next tender or DPR.

    Key Takeaway for PWD Engineers: Always prepare KML in Polygon only, follow colour codes strictly, keep every map counter-signed by DCF + Surveyor + User Agency, and attach complete Tree Maliki documents whenever private/identified forest land or tree enumeration is involved. Area in KML properties must exactly match the proposed area.

flowchart TD A(["Start: Road Project Identified
(PWD / User Agency)"]) --> B{"Proposed Forest Area?"} B -->|"< 1 Hectare & Sec 3(2)"| FRA["FRA Section 3(2)
Simplified Procedure"] B -->|"> 1 Hectare or Linear"| FCA["FCA 1980 / Van Adhiniyam
Regular Procedure"] subgraph FRA_Path ["FRA Sec 3(2) - Fast Track"] FRA --> C1["Prepare Sample-K,
7/12 & 1:50000 Map"] C1 --> C2["Gram Sabha Resolution
(50% Quorum)"] C2 --> C3["Tahsildar Certificate:
Non-Forest land unavailable"] C3 --> C4["Submit to RFO"] C4 --> C5["RFO: Sample-Kh + Inspection"] C5 --> C6["RFO Certificates:
Area/Court Case Check"] C6 --> C7["Forward to Territorial DCF"] C7 --> C8["DCF Approval - Final"] C8 --> END1(["Forest Clearance Granted"]) end subgraph FCA_Path ["FCA 1980 - Detailed Procedure"] FCA --> D1["Prepare KML,
NPV & CA Undertakings"] D1 --> D2["Upload on PARIVESH (Form-A)"] D2 --> D3["Scrutiny by Nodal Officer"] D3 --> D4{"Queries/EDS?"} D4 -->|Yes| D5["Agency Resubmits"] D5 --> D3 D4 -->|No| D6["Site Inspection & Tree Enum"] D6 --> D7["Wildlife Clearance
(If Applicable)"] D7 --> D8["CA Land ID + NPV Payment"] D8 --> D9["DCF Recommendation (Part-II)"] D9 --> D10["PCCF Review & State Forwarding"] D10 --> D11{"Area > 5 Ha?"} D11 -->|Yes| D12["PSC + State Stage-I"] D11 -->|No| D13["IRO - Stage-I In-principle"] D12 --> D13 D13 --> D14["Stage-I Approval
(Conditions)"] D14 --> D15["Compliance: Payment + Land"] D15 --> D16["Stage-II Final Approval"] D16 --> END2(["Forest Clearance Granted"]) end END1 --> Z(["Project Can Proceed"]) END2 --> Z %% Styling classDef fra fill:#e6ffe6,stroke:#006400,stroke-width:2px,color:#000; classDef fca fill:#fff0e6,stroke:#8B4513,stroke-width:2px,color:#000; class FRA_Path fra; class FCA_Path fca;

flowchart TD
    A(["Start: Road Project Identified"]) --> B{"Forest Area?"}
    B -->|"< 1 Ha"| FRA["FRA Sec 3(2)"]
    B -->|"> 1 Ha"| FCA["FCA 1980"]
    %% Simplified version for clipboard...

1. Latest Guidelines for KML Files on PARIVESH Portal
(PCCF Maharashtra Circular No. Desk-17/FCA-S1/NodalCell/25-26/1943 dated 20/11/2025)

Accurate KML preparation is now mandatory. Non-standard files are auto-rejected at scrutiny stage.

❌ Files NOT Supported

KML files larger than 200 MB
Any KMZ files
KML files with TBM images embedded in waypoints
Multi-geometry KML files with more than 200 segments

🌲 Colour Codes (Mandatory)

Forest Type	Colour
Reserve Forest	Green
Protected Forest	Yellow
Zudpi Jungle	Green
Private Forest / Identified Forest	Pink
Non-forest area	No colour filling

✅ General Instructions (Must Follow)

Only the uploaded KML files of diverted forest area and Compensatory Afforestation (CA) land on PARIVESH will be used for scrutiny.
KML files submitted offline (CD/Map) must exactly match the online uploaded files.
Use Polygons only — Lines are not accepted for forest land depiction.
KML must display: Length, Width, Area, Compartment Number, Survey Number, Village name, Taluka name, Range, Division, and Legal status of forest land.
The area of the KML polygon must exactly match the area shown in KML properties.

Tip from field: While preparing KML in Google Earth Pro, right-click the polygon → Properties → Description tab and manually enter all the above details. This saves huge time during DCF verification.

2. Simplified Procedure for Proposals up to 1 Hectare
Under Scheduled Tribes & Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 – Section 3(2)

Most PWD village-road, school, anganwadi, water supply and minor irrigation works fall under this category. Faster approval route through Gram Sabha + Range Forest Officer.

Checklist to be filled by User Agency (Sample-K)

Sr.	Details	Compliance
2	7/12 Extract / Ferfar Utare of proposed land	Yes
3	Survey No. / Gat No. / Compartment No. mentioned?	Yes
3	Survey of India map (1 inch = 2 miles or 1:50,000) attached?	Yes
4	Justification for site selection mentioned?	Yes
5	No. of trees to be felled & retained (per hectare) mentioned?	Yes
6	Component-wise area statement of proposed work	Yes
7	Detailed map of proposed building / work	Yes
8	Proposal falls under any of 13 activities listed in Section 3(2)?	Yes
9	Proposal area ≤ 1 hectare?	Yes
10	Undertaking for double plantation & 5-year maintenance submitted?	—
11	Gram Sabha recommendation with 50% quorum?	Yes
12	Tahsildar certificate that non-forest land is not available?	Yes

Documents to be submitted (User Agency + Forest Department)

Sample-K (filled by User Agency)
Gram Sabha resolution + proceeding extract
1:50,000 scale map of proposed area
Detailed component-wise map of work
Administrative & Technical sanction letters
Sample-Kh (filled by Range Forest Officer) + Site Inspection + GPS Polygon
Certificate that no court case / FRA claims exist
7/12 extracts of proposed land & CA land

Ready-to-use Certificates (Forest Officer side)

No court case / claim certificate
No tree felling certificate (if area <1 ha and zero trees)
Approved work requires exactly ___ ha forest land
Project will be completed within 1 year after permission
Tahsildar certificate for non-availability of non-forest land
Double plantation & maintenance undertaking

3. Comprehensive Checklist for Regular FCA Proposals
Under Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980

For projects larger than 1 ha or linear projects (roads, pipelines, transmission lines) — this is the master checklist used by DCF/CCF.

A. KML Files & Maps (must be verified & counter-signed by Surveyor + DCF + User Agency)

KML of proposed diversion area
KML of Compensatory Afforestation (CA) area
Geo-referenced digital map (shape file) using Total Station / DGPS showing forest / non-forest / adjoining land in different colours + Forest compartment boundary + Satellite imagery for density
Proposed forest & non-forest area on Topo-sheet
Map showing distance (in km) from nearest Protected Area / ESZ
Village map of proposed area
Map of alternative alignment / route examined
Map of CA land with geo-coordinates

B. Certificates by Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) — 17 Nos.

Documents verification certificate
Justification of site specificity
Certificate of absence of alternatives & minimum forest demand
Alternatives examined for linear projects
Wildlife certificate (not part of PA / Sanctuary)
Distance from Protected Area certificate
No impact on monuments / cultural / historical sites
No violation of FCA 1980 certificate
Non-forest area not covered under Maharashtra Private Forest Act 1975
List of Identified forests
Net Present Value (NPV) certificate with eco-class (GOI letter 05/02/2009)
Tree felling certificate
Species-wise / girth-wise tree list + estimate (counter-signed by DCF)
CA area identification & site suitability certificate
7/12 extract / RoR of proposed land & CA land
Compensatory Afforestation scheme (Model No. as per PCCF letter dated 19/11/2019)
Site Inspection Report of DCF
Part-II form duly filled

C. Certificates by Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF)

Site Inspection Report of CCF
NPV certificate counter-signed by CCF

D. Documents / Undertakings by Project Agency (User Agency) — 18 Nos.

Detailed Project Note with salient features
Justification of site specificity
Item-wise break-up of forest & non-forest area
Attempts made to locate non-forest land + reasons for rejection
Undertaking to pay NPV as per GoI orders
Undertaking to bear full cost of CA
Undertaking to bear tree felling & allied works cost
FRA Certificate
Undertaking of no violation of FCA 1980
Cost-Benefit Analysis
Undertaking to obtain Environmental Clearance (if applicable)
Non-indemnity undertaking to Forest Department
NOC from private owner (if Private Forest land involved)
Undertaking for Catchment Area Treatment Plan
Catchment Area Treatment Plan document
Muck Disposal Plan
Undertaking regarding location inside/outside Scheduled Tribal Area
No Objection Certificate from MD, FDCM (if required)

4. Documents Required for Tree Ownership Certificate (Maliki Prakaran / झाडांची मालकी प्रमाणपत्र)
Maharashtra Revenue Department – Essential List for Private / Identified Forest Land

Whenever your proposal involves Private Forest, Identified Forest or tree enumeration on non-government land, you must attach the complete Tree Ownership (Maliki) documents. These are issued by Talathi → Tahsildar → District Collector and are cross-verified by the Forest Department.

Without these, DCF will not accept tree felling estimates or CA calculations — a very common reason for rejection in PWD road & EPC projects.

Complete Checklist of 11 Documents (मालकी प्रकरणांसाठी आवश्यक असलेली कागदपत्रे)

Sr.	Document	Issued By	Purpose
1	7/12 Extract showing details of trees *	Talathi	Proof of land + tree ownership
2	Consent letter / Jamband Patra (if more than one occupant in 7/12) *	Other occupants + in presence of Tahsildar	Multiple owners case
3	Gav Form No. 8 *	Talathi	Official village record
4	Survey Maps (Settlement / Re-measurement / Consolidation / Present status / TILR) *	Talathi / Tahsildar	Exact boundary & survey number proof
5	Boundary Certificate showing names of adjacent land owners & survey numbers *	Talathi	Neighbouring ownership details
6	Ownership Certificate for land & trees (Class-I / Class-II Bhogwatidar) *	Tahsildar / Naib Tahsildar / SDO	Clear legal ownership of land & trees
7	Caste Certificate (if applicant belongs to Scheduled Tribe)	Tahsildar / SDO (Revenue)	ST category cases
8	Survey-number-wise Tree List *	Applicant / Talathi	Exact tree enumeration
9	Certificate for water source (if bank, tank or water body within 30 m)	District Collector	Restriction near water bodies
10	Certificate for low tree growth (if non-agricultural land with sparse trees – 20 trees = 1 new plantation)	District Collector	Compensatory plantation relaxation
11	Written Certificate from Forest Officer *	Range Forest Officer / DCF	Final Forest Department confirmation

* = Most critical documents (starred in official circular). Keep scanned copies ready with counter-signatures.

Practical Tips for PWD Engineers

Start with Talathi for 7/12 + Gav Form 8 + Boundary Certificate — these three are needed in almost every proposal.
If survey number touches government land, get TILR map + Tahsildar certified map immediately.
Tree list (Sr. 8) must match the enumeration done by Forest Department — mismatch = rejection.
For road projects, attach chainage-wise tree list in the Maliki file itself.
Coordinate with Tahsildar early — the entire Maliki file usually takes 15–30 days.

Practical Tips from a PWD Engineer’s Desk (Updated with Maliki Documents)

Always prepare two separate KMLs — one for diversion and one for CA land. Name them clearly: ProjectName_Diversion.kml and ProjectName_CA.kml
Use QGIS or Google Earth Pro with Survey of India toposheet as base. Export as KML only after adding all attributes.
For road projects, show chainage on the KML polygon description and in the Maliki tree list.
Keep scanned copies of all counter-signatures + complete Maliki file ready — PARIVESH now asks for geo-tagged photos also in many cases.
Coordinate with Range Forest Officer early — his GPS polygon, Part-II form and Maliki verification are the backbone of the proposal.
NPV, CA scheme model number, tree enumeration and Maliki documents are the four most common reasons for delay — get them vetted by DCF before final submission.

वन जमीन वापरासाठी - तपासणी सूची व प्रमाणपत्रे (HTML आवृत्ती)

१. तपासणाऱ्या सूची (वापरकर्ता अभिकरणाने नमुना-क सोबत जोडणे)

अ.क्र.	तपशिल	होय
२	प्रस्तावित जमिनीचा ७/१२ उतारा / फेरफार उतारा	होय
३	सर्वे क्रमांक / गट क्रमांक / कक्ष क्रमांक नमूद आहे काय?	होय
३	रु.५,००,००० व इंच = २ मैल प्रमाणे नकाशा जोडला आहे (सर्वे ऑफ इंडियाचा नकाशा)	होय
४	प्रस्तावाच्या स्थळाबाबत समर्थन नमूद केले आहे काय?	होय
५	प्रस्तावातर्गत तोडावयाच्या झाडांची संख्या व राखून ठेवावयाच्या झाडांची संख्या (प्रति हेक्टरी) नमूद केली आहे काय?	होय
६	प्रस्तावित कामाचे क्षेत्रासंबंधी वनविभागीय क्षेत्र विवरण	होय
७	प्रस्तावित इमारत / कामाचा नकाशा	होय
८	मागणी केलेल्या प्रस्ताव उक्त अधिनियमातील कलम ३(२) मध्ये नमूद केलेल्या १३ बाबींपैकी आहे काय?	होय
९	मागणी केलेल्या प्रस्ताव १ हेक्टरच्या मर्यादित आहे काय?	होय
१०	तोड होणा-या झाडांच्या बदल्यात दुप्पट झाडे लावून देण्याबाबत व देखभालीबाबत हमीपत्र दिले आहे काय?
११	ग्रामसभेचे (५०%) गणपूर्ती शिफारस केली आहे काय?	होय
१२	वनंतर जमीन उपलब्ध नसल्याबाबतचा तहसिलदार यांचा दाखला जोडलेला आहे काय?	होय

दिनांक : ___________________

ठिकाण : ___________________

कार्यकारी यंत्रणा

२. अनुसूचीत जमाती व इतर पारंपारिक वननिवासी (वन हक्काची मान्यता) अधिनियम-२००६ च्या कलम ३ चे पोटकलम (२) अन्वये दस्तऐवज सूची

अ.क्र.	तपशिल	पान क्रमांक	पासून	पर्यंत
वापरकर्ता अभिकरणाने सादर करावयाचे दस्तऐवज
१	वापरकर्ता अभिकरणाने सादर करावयाचे दस्तऐवज
२	वापरकर्ता अभिकरणाने भरलेला नमुना-क
३	ग्रामसभा ठराव
४	ग्रामसभा प्रासिडिंगचा उतारा
५	प्रस्तावांतर्गत क्षेत्राचा नकाशा (१:५००००)
६	प्रस्तावित कामाचा सविस्तर हेतुनिहाय विवरण नकाशा
७	कामाचे अंदाजपत्रक
८	प्रशासकीय मंजुरीचे पत्र व तांत्रिक मंजुरी पत्र
९	ग्रामसभेमध्ये ५०% गणपूर्तता बाबतचा दाखला
१०	सदर प्रयोजनासाठी वनेतर जमीन उपलब्ध नसल्याबाबतचा तहसिलदार यांचा दाखला
वनक्षेत्रपाल यांनी सादर करावयाचे दस्तऐवज
११	वनक्षेत्रपाल यांनी भरलेला नमुना-ख (स्वयंस्पष्ट अभिप्रायसह)
१२	स्थळावरचा पंचनामा व जी.पी.एस. पॉलिगॉन नकाशा जोडलेला आहे.
१३	स्थळनिरीक्षण पंचनामा
१४	कोर्टकेस / इतर दावा आहे किंवा नाही याबाबत प्रमाणपत्र
१५	प्रस्तावित वनहक्क २००६ चे वैयक्तिक व सामुहिक दावे नसले बाबतचे प्रमाणपत्र

दिनांक : ___________________

ठिकाण : ___________________

वनपरिक्षेत्र अधिकारी

प्रमाणपत्रे (प्रत्येक प्रमाणपत्र वेगळ्या पानावर)

प्रमाणपत्र

प्रमाणित करण्यात येते की, वापरकर्ता अभिकरणाने सादर केलेला प्रस्ताव उक्त अधिनियमातील कलम ३(२) मध्ये नमूद केलेल्या १३ पैकी आहे. वापरकर्ता अभिकरणाने मागणी केलेल्या ________________ क्षेत्रावर कोर्टकेस / इतर दावा दाखल नाही. प्रस्ताव योग्य असल्याने मंजुरीबाबत शिफारस करणेत येत आहे.