The Director General of Forests has recently expressed the necessity to amend the National Forest Policy, 1988. This recommendation is based on a research paper published in the Natural Resources Forum, a United Nations Sustainable Development Journal in 2016. The research paper calls for sustainable forest management based on certification along with a policy that is characterised by equal emphasis on restoration, conservation and production.
Key Concerns with Current Policy
The current situation has several key points of concern. Firstly, there is a significant data unavailability regarding the growing stock, consumption and production of timber. This lack of reliable data hinders accurate supply and demand projections.
Secondly, it is imperative to focus on the potential of timber production from Trees Outside Forests (TOFs), i.e. those grown outside government Recorded Forest Areas (RFAs). These are all geographic areas recorded as forest in government records, comprising Reserved Forests and Protected Forests. As per the India State of Forest Report 2011, the potential timber production from TOFs is significantly higher than from government forests.
Impact of Court Rulings and Need for Sustainable Production
Various court rulings have also impacted forest management and timber production. For instance, a Supreme Court ruling in the Godavarman Case, 1996 resulted in a decrease in domestic production of timber as it stopped felling of trees in forest areas. Therefore, production forestry needs to focus on a sustainable increase in forest productivity from TOFs and RFAs.
To achieve this, states must devise working plans and demarcate 10% of the forests for plantations. Options such as a synchronised nationwide policy for TOFs could be developed.
Increasing wood production has two-fold benefits- it aids in carbon sequestration to combat climate change and can revive the rural economy by increasing timber production from TOFs.
Review of Import-Export Policy
Another pressing issue is the need to review Export-Import Policy as the domestic timber production has declined and imports have surged. While the domestic demand for timber increases with growth in population and GDP per capita, dependency on imports isn’t a viable option since exporters worldwide are shifting to a conservation-based approach. Therefore, the Exim Policy should be reviewed to rectify market pricing to make it economically viable to grow trees on farmlands.
The Need for Forest Policy Revision
To address these concerns, the research paper advises revising the Indian Forest Policy to boost domestic production. The revised policy must maintain ecological balance and improve biodiversity through protected area management, while focusing on reclamation, rehabilitation, and regeneration of degraded landscapes and wastelands as part of restoration policies.
Shortcomings of Current Policy
Our forests are currently governed by the National Forest Policy, 1988 which centers around environmental balance and livelihood. However, its implementation has been criticized. It has not been updated for a long time despite significant changes in the state of forests and global climate. It also lacks clear definitions and guidelines regarding forest management. To address these issues, a draft policy was released in 2019 focusing on conservation, protection, and management of forests while safeguarding tribals and forest-dependent people’s interests.
Forestry in India
India’s tree and forest cover together constitute 24.56% of the country’s area as per the India State of Forest Report, 2019. With legal provisions like the Indian Forest Act 1927, Forest Rights Act 2006, and Wildlife Protection Act 1972, forests play a crucial role in our ecosystem. However, non-forest activities such as sawmills and mining have been suspended in these areas, as per the Supreme Court’s order in the 1996 Godavarman Case.
Constitutional Provisions for Forests
Forests also find mention in our Constitution under Articles 51 A (g), 48 A, and more, highlighting the state and citizens’ roles to protect and improve the natural environment, forests, and Wildlife. These constitutional provisions, along with amendments and legislations, set the framework for forest management in India. It is clear that there is a need for updating policies to address the evolving challenges and opportunities the sector presents.
Last Modified: February 9, 2024