In a bid to encourage agroforestry, increase tree cover outside forests, and mitigate climate change, the Union Environment Ministry has devised model rules that govern tree-felling on agricultural land.
The 'Model Rules for Felling of Trees in Agricultural Lands', which were mentioned in a letter, dated June 19, sent by the ministry to all the states, the government said it aims to double farmers’ income, reduce timber exports, and ensure sustainable land-use, among its other goals of enhancing ease-of-doing business and supporting India’s climate goals under the Paris Agreement.
The letter stated that the State Level Committee (SLC) already formed under the Wood-Based Industries (Establishment and Regulation) Guidelines, 2016, will also serve as the committee for these rules, and include officials from revenue and agriculture departments.
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The committee’s responsibilities will include advising the state governments on ways to promote agroforestry and increase timber production from agricultural lands by simplifying rules for felling and transit of trees, especially species with commercial value.
It will also empanel agencies for verification of applications and transit of timber from agricultural lands.
Applicants have been asked to register their plantation land on the National Timber Management System (NTMS) portal that asks for details like land ownership particulars and the location of the agricultural land.
Applicants must also give basic plantation details, including the number of saplings by species, planting date (month and year) and the average height of seedlings.
They would be asked to update this information as required by the SLC.
The rules require applicants to photograph each tree with geotagged images in KML file format which will be monitored by field functionaries from the forest, agriculture and panchayati raj departments.
For lands with more than 10 trees, the applicant must apply online through the NTMS, giving detailed information about the trees to be felled.
There will be a field visit by the verifying agency, which will then prepare a report with details about the land, trees and the estimated quantity of timber. Based on this, a felling permit will be generated.
For application for felling of up to 10 trees, applicants need to upload trees' photos to the NTMS. The system will estimate the tree size (girth, height), yield and species. They will also be asked to inform about the planned felling date. After felling, they must upload stump photos.
The department concerned may also send an officer to verify. In this case, the ‘No objection certificate’ for felling will be issued automatically through the portal.
Divisional forest officers will monitor how verifying agencies are functioning. They will submit a report every quarter to the SLC on the performance of these agencies.
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