While the new rules aim to promote agroforestry and simplify tree-felling regulations on farmland, they also risk increasing the burden of license raj, with added monitoring by the forest department and verifying agencies.
The Central Government has issued the “Model Rules for Felling of Trees on Agricultural Land” with the objective of simplifying regulatory frameworks and promoting agroforestry. Agroforestry is seen as a viable solution to address multiple national priorities, including doubling farmers’ income, enhancing tree cover outside forests, mitigating climate change, and minimizing timber imports.
However, certain provisions in the model rules may increase procedural burdens and the license raj for farmers. If these rules are implemented, farmers could face monitoring at every stage—from plantation to the cutting of trees.
The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change stated that the model rules aim to establish a streamlined regulatory framework by providing simplified procedures for registering agroforestry lands and managing tree harvesting and transit. The objective is to improve the ease of doing business in agroforestry and incentivize farmers to integrate trees into their farming systems without facing undue procedural hurdles.
The decision to implement these rules ultimately rests with the state governments. The Union Forest Ministry has urged states to examine the model rules and consider their adoption and notification for tree felling on agricultural land.
Monitoring by State-Level Committee
The State-Level Committee, established under the Wood-Based Industries (Establishment and Regulation) Guidelines, 2016, will also be responsible for implementing these model rules. Its role includes guiding states on promoting agroforestry and enhancing timber production from farmlands by easing regulations related to tree harvesting and timber transportation, particularly for commercially valuable species.
This committee will now also include officials from the Revenue and Agriculture Departments. As a result, the same kind of regulatory system applicable to wood-based industries will extend to farmers practicing agroforestry. This may increase regulatory burdens, with additional monitoring by the Forest Department and verifying agencies.
Registration of Plantation
As per the model rules, farmers are required to register their plantations on the National Timber Management System (NTMS) portal. This involves submitting details such as land ownership, farm location, species-wise number of saplings planted, the month and year of planting, and the average height of the seedlings. Farmers must periodically update this information.
Until now, no such registration was required for agroforestry. Typically, Agriculture and Revenue Department officials at the village level collect data on crops and land use. Under the new rules, agroforestry lands will need to be registered, bringing them under the scrutiny of the Forest Department and verifying agencies.
Additionally, farmers must provide geotagged KML files and images of each tree to ensure visual traceability and compliance. These plantation details will be monitored by field officials from the Forest, Agriculture, and Panchayat Raj Departments.
Role of Verifying Agencies
The State-Level Committee will empanel agencies to verify applications for tree felling on agricultural lands. These agencies must have expertise in forest management and agroforestry. However, it is currently unclear whether these agencies will be government-run or private. The involvement of verifying agencies in agroforestry may increase the burden of license raj on farmers and potentially lead to corruption.
Issuance of Felling Permits
Farmers wishing to harvest trees from registered plantations can apply online through the National Timber Management System, providing specific details of the trees intended for felling. Verifying agencies will conduct site inspections, and based on their reports, tree felling permits will be issued for agricultural lands.
A No Objection Certificate (NOC) for the felling of trees will be issued automatically through the portal for agricultural lands with fewer than 10 trees. After felling, applicants must upload photos of the stumps to the National Timber Management Portal.
The functioning of verifying agencies will be overseen by the concerned Divisional Forest Officer (DFO).
Thus, even though claims are being made to promote agroforestry and simplify regulatory frameworks for felling trees on agricultural lands, the possibility of an increased burden of “license raj” along with monitoring by the forest department and verifying agencies cannot be ruled out.