The Transit of timber and other forest produce in the State of Odisha is taken up as per the Orissa Timber and Other Forest Produce Transit Rules, 1980. In case of transport of timbers, it is required to apply before cutting of trees so that tree cutting permission will be given to ensure a transit pass for lifting from stump site to the destination. Even though permission is not required for tree cutting only but to ensure a Transit Permit, tree cutting stump verification is required for issue of a Transit Pass. In case of institution, it is required to take up 10 times the number of tree to be replanted by the Agency in Government land / road side in consultation with the concerned Divisional Forest officers or else to be carried out through Odisha Forest development Corporation by depositing the amount for the replanting programme.

As per Rule, a Transit Permit will be issued either for a fresh application for the standing trees or a in lieu permit against a transit permit earlier issued for logs/ timbers. In case of earlier one, Form III is the application form whereas in case of in lieu permit Form II is the application form to apply a Transit Permit. In case of an application for Transit Permit in Form III, three stages are followed for issue of final Transit permit as per Rule with a specific time limit (Link).

Stage -1 Timber Transit Permit Application & Tree Felling N.O.C

• Any Individual / Institution desirous of tree removal of the standing trees need to apply in Form No.III (link) to the Divisional Forest Officer under whose jurisdiction the land in question for removal of trees.
• The DFO will verify the application with respect to the Check List of documents submitted by the applicant about the land records and the number of trees to be removed.
• The DFO will forward the application to the concerned Tahasildar and Forest Range Officer for a joint verification on the site about the location, ownership of land and tree details thereof.
• The Tahasildar will examine the land records and will decide an officer for joint verification and inform to the DFO about the programme.
• The joint verification by Revenue and Forest Officials will be conducted on the decided date and a report will be prepared to be sent to DFO concerned either by Range Officer or by Tahasildar. This inspection will be taken up by the Forest and Revenue officials jointly under whose jurisdiction the area is assigned so as to justify the ownership of the land in favour of the applicant by the Revenue officials and the number of trees available with measurement by the Forest Officials.
• If the DFO finds any discrepancy on the joint verification report, he or the Assistant Conservator of Forests will conduct a test check as mentioned in Rule 7(8)(f)(1). The test check on joint verification should not involve the officer/s who were earlier assigned for joint verification.
• The DFO will issue No Objection by allowing tree cutting and to take up the conversion in favour of the applicant.

Stage-2 Property Hammer Registration & conversion list submission

• The applicant will take up the tree felling with conversion into logs.
• A serial number of all the logs converted from a tree will be numbered separately showing the tree number and the log number in each log.
• The log numbers will be mentioned numerically in ascending order from stump to the maximum height of the tree.
• Marking of tree no. will be made at stump and in each log. The logs will be marked with additional number along with tree serial No.
• All the logs are to be kept on the stump site and not be shifted away from the stump for field verification.
• The applicant will apply for a property hammer Registration by depositing a fee of Rs.5/- which will be valid upto July of that year or deposit Rs.10/- which will be valid upto three years ending 31st July of third year and furnish a conversion list of logs and firewood (In stacks of 12'x3'x3' or 6'x3'x3' size).
• The DFO will approve the Property Hammer Registration and communicate to the Range Officer/ applicant for necessary authentication on the ground.
• On approval of Property Hammer, the applicant will impress the hammer in all the logs so as to ensure future authentication.
• The DFO will authorize an officer for verification of logs at stump site as per the conversion list submitted by the applicant and furnish his report.
• The DFO will authorize an officer for issue of T.T. Permit.

Stage-3 Submission of Forest Produce , vehicle detail & Issue of T.T. Permit

• The applicant will prepare the list of logs and firewood etc need for transportation to the destination decided by him.
• He will apply with a list in an application as per the Check list.
• The authorized officer will issue T.T. Permit in Form I in favour of the applicant for the logs to be transported in different vehicles and different dates of the logs as per the stump site verification received from the officer entrusted earlier during Stage 2.