Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Labour and Employment Bhupender Yadav, inaugurated the National Transit Pass System (NTPS) pan-India, on December 29, 2023. This marks a significant step toward improving the ease of doing business and boosting transparency in the forestry industry.
Revolutionizing Timber Transit: One Nation-One Pass Initiative
The NTPS aims to facilitate the seamless transit of timber, bamboo, and other forest produce across the country, replacing the current state-specific transit rules with a unified and online 'One Nation-One Pass' regime. Currently, the transport of timber and forest produce involves obtaining permits based on state-specific regulations, causing delays and complications in the transportation process. The NTPS is designed to streamline this process by providing a unified platform for tree growers and farmers involved in agroforestry across the nation, contributing to the ease of doing business.
To showcase the applicability and convenience of the NTPS, Minister Bhupender Yadav flagged off special Pan-Indian vehicles carrying forest produce. Two vehicles carrying timber and other forest produce from Gujarat and Jammu & Kashmir were sent off to West Bengal and Tamil Nadu. The QR-coded transit permits generated under the NTPS will enable check gates across states to verify the validity of permits, ensuring seamless transit.
NTPS in Action: Pan Indian Flag-Off Showcases Applicability
During the flag-off event, Minister Yadav expressed the historic significance of the nationwide implementation of the NTPS. He emphasized that this initiative aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for greater transparency and guarantees India's development. Minister Yadav highlighted the far-reaching impact of the NTPS, extending beyond the encouragement of agroforestry and tree farming to incentivize the entire value chain.
Minister of State for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, Ashwini Kumar Choubey, described the NTPS as a game-changer for agroforestry and trees outside the forest. The system is expected to enhance the ease of doing business in the sector and streamline the transit of timber and other forest products.
The event was attended by Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Leena Nadan, and Director General of Forests and Special Secretary Chandra Prakash Goyal. Minister Yadav also highlighted recent initiatives by the Ministry, including the Indian Forest and Wood Certification Scheme and the Trees Outside Forest Initiative, aiming to boost agroforestry practices in the nation.
With the NTPS, 25 States and Union Territories have already adopted the unified permit system, providing a significant boost to the agroforestry sector. The NTPS, accessible at https://ntps.nic.in, offers a user-friendly interface with desktop and mobile applications for easy registration and permit applications.
The system covers regulated tree species, and users can self-generate No Objection Certificates for exempted species. This initiative marks a crucial step towards a more efficient and transparent forestry sector in India.
