CM Stalin releases Tamil Nadu Urban Greening Policy 2026

Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Friday (February 6, 2026) released the Tamil Nadu Urban Greening Policy 2026, aiming to build climate-resilient, liveable, and sustainable cities.

According to an official release, the State government has been pursuing a mission-mode, Statewide greening effort through the Green Tamil Nadu Mission, with the objective of progressively enhancing forest and tree cover towards 33%, improving climate resilience, and strengthening ecological security.

Some of the greening efforts by the State government include the planting of over 12.05 crore seedlings, expansion of agroforestry over more than 2.24 lakh acres, mangrove plantation and restoration, palmyrah dibbling at scale, establishment of 100 village woodlots (Maragathapooncholai) across 38 districts, creation of 1,000 micro forests (Kurunkadugal) within industry premises, and notification of 100 new reserve forests, integrating greening with livelihoods, climate action, and sustainable development.

The policy provides a comprehensive and forward-looking framework for integrating trees, urban forests, parks, wetlands, and blue-green infrastructure into urban planning and development across the State. It addresses challenges arising from rapid urbanisation, urban heat island effects, declining air quality, loss of urban biodiversity, and shrinking green spaces, while aligning with the State’s climate change vision, climate action plans, and ongoing greening initiatives.

According to the policy, a State-level coordination committee will be formed to ensure effective convergence across departments. The Municipal Administration and Water Supply (MAWS) Department will set up a dedicated urban forest wing to promote greening initiatives in urban areas.

City-level urban biodiversity plans and urban greening micro-plans will be prepared, geospatial mapping and carbon accounting will be undertaken, and monitoring dashboards will be set up for urban greening initiatives. All departments and agencies will allocate a proportionate share of projects towards greening and landscape restoration. Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) shall explore the possibility of levying a green fee for urban greening activities.

Plan for ULBs

Incentives are proposed to be provided to institutions and individuals for the achievement of defined ‘Urban Greening Factors’. Every ULB shall endeavour to maintain a minimum of 15% of its total urban area under green cover. ULBs will also strive to adopt the 3-30-300 Urban Green Livability Guideline of the Nature-based Solutions Institute, Sweden.

ULBs shall also strive to develop the City Biodiversity Index, also known as the Singapore Index. The policy will encourage the adoption of urban and regional development plan formulation and implementation guidelines for per capita green space accessibility.

Each ULB shall establish and maintain urban green nurseries to promote only native tree species through a technical protocol for species selection and planting initiatives. The policy encourages community participation and stewardship in urban greening initiatives and envisages extensive monitoring of these initiatives through digital tracking and dashboards, along with the publication of annual urban green reports by ULBs.

Chief Secretary N. Muruganandam and Additional Chief Secretary (Environment, Climate Change and Forests) Supriya Sahu were among those present at the Secretariat when the Chief Minister released the policy.