Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has introduced new Model Rules for Felling of Trees on Agricultural Lands to simplify regulations and promote agroforestry across the country. The initiative is seen as a significant step toward making it easier for farmers and stakeholders to engage in tree-based farming while also encouraging sustainable land use practices.
Agroforestry, which involves integrating trees into farmland, offers a wide range of benefits, including increased rural incomes, healthier soils, enhanced biodiversity, improved water retention, and stronger climate resilience. It also helps ease the pressure on natural forests by enabling timber production on farmlands.
The newly established model rules create a streamlined regulatory framework for registering agroforestry lands and managing the harvesting and transportation of trees. The simplified procedures aim to boost domestic timber production, reduce reliance on imported wood, and enable wood-based industries to source raw materials locally. The policy also seeks to increase exports by tapping into India’s agroforestry potential.
Implementation of the rules will be overseen by a State Level Committee constituted under the 2016 Wood-Based Industries (Establishment and Regulation) Guidelines. This committee will play a key role in guiding States and Union Territories in promoting agroforestry, particularly for commercially valuable tree species. It will also be responsible for empanelling agencies that will verify applications for tree felling on agricultural lands.
As per the model rules, farmers will be required to register their plantations on the upcoming National Timber Management System (NTMS) portal. This digital platform will collect essential details such as land ownership, farm location through KML files, tree species, and planting dates. Applicants will also be able to upload geotagged photographs of their plantations to ensure traceability and improve monitoring.
Farmers or landowners wishing to harvest trees from registered plantations will be able to apply online via the NTMS portal. Site inspections will be conducted by authorised agencies, and based on their reports, tree felling permits will be issued. Divisional Forest Officers will supervise these agencies to ensure transparency and compliance.
Environment Ministry has urged all States and Union Territories to consider adopting these model rules to promote agroforestry, eliminate procedural hurdles, and make it easier for farmers to integrate trees into their farming systems.
