Centre issues Model Rules to States/UTs to aid Ease of Doing Business in Agroforestry

In a significant step to promote agroforestry and facilitate Ease of Doing Business in rural and farm-based sectors, the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has issued Model Rules for Felling of Trees in Agricultural Lands. These rules aim to support States and Union Territories (UTs) in simplifying regulatory frameworks and encouraging farmers to adopt tree-based farming systems that align economic development with environmental sustainability.

Agroforestry—the practice of integrating trees into agricultural landscapes—not only contributes to sustainable agricultural practices, but also enhances rural livelihoods, improves soil health, aids in biodiversity conservation, increases tree cover, supports water conservation, and builds climate resilience, all while reducing pressure on natural forests. Recognizing these multifaceted benefits, the government’s model rules focus on streamlining the processes involved in tree planting, harvesting, and transit on agricultural lands.

A key objective of the model rules is to establish a simplified and uniform regulatory mechanism across States/UTs. This includes procedures for the registration of agroforestry plantations, easier permission systems for tree harvesting, and efficient transit regulations—the formal process of transporting timber legally. By removing bureaucratic hurdles, the initiative is expected to increase farmer participation and provide new economic opportunities for rural communities.

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A major digital push accompanying this reform is the development of the National Timber Management System (NTMS)—a centralized online portal that will host geo-tagged data of agroforestry plantations. Geo-tagging refers to attaching location coordinates to plantation data and photos, ensuring traceability and transparency. Through the NTMS portal, farmers will be able to register plantations by uploading basic details such as land ownership documents, location with KML file (Keyhole Markup Language—a file format used for mapping), tree species, and plantation timeline. They can also update their plantation records periodically and submit online applications for tree felling, specifying details of the trees they wish to harvest.

Once an application is submitted, empanelled verifying agencies will conduct on-site inspections. Based on their verification reports, tree felling permits for agricultural lands will be issued. These agencies will be monitored by Divisional Forest Officers (DFOs), who are responsible for supervising their performance through regular evaluations. This layered approach ensures accountability, reduces delays, and upholds regulatory standards.

The State Level Committee, constituted under the Wood-Based Industries (Establishment and Regulation) Guidelines, 2016, will be instrumental in implementing these model rules. This committee is tasked with guiding States and UTs in boosting timber production from farmlands, particularly by easing regulations for commercially valuable tree species. It will also be responsible for empanelling verification agencies and ensuring that the agroforestry ecosystem operates smoothly within the regulatory framework.

By promoting domestic timber production, the model rules are expected to bridge the demand-supply gap in timber, support wood-based industries with locally sourced raw materials, and even bolster exports. The move is a part of a broader vision to incentivize farmers to integrate trees into their farming systems without facing procedural delays or regulatory bottlenecks.

In conclusion, the MoEFCC has requested all States and UTs to carefully examine these model rules and consider their adoption. The initiative not only strengthens environmental stewardship but also empowers farmers by making tree-based agriculture economically viable and administratively easier, thereby contributing to a more sustainable and prosperous rural economy.

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