New Delhi: In a major step to promote agroforestry and tree cover outside forests to mitigate climate change the Centre has issued new “Model Rules” for the felling of trees on agricultural land.
Aimed at simplifying procedures and cutting red tape, the guidelines are expected to encourage farmers to integrate tree cultivation into traditional farming without facing unnecessary hurdles.
The Model Rules for Felling of Trees in Agricultural Lands, shared by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change with all states on June 19, are designed to streamline permissions and enhance ease of doing business in the agroforestry sector.
According to the ministry, agroforestry plays a vital role in doubling farmers’ incomes, expanding tree cover outside forests, reducing timber imports, supporting India’s climate goals under the Paris Agreement, and promoting sustainable land use.
However, a key challenge has been the absence of a unified and transparent process for tree felling on farmland, which has often hampered cultivation and trade in agroforestry produce.
Under the model rules, the State Level Committee (SLC) — already constituted under the Wood-Based Industries (Establishment and Regulation) Guidelines, 2016 — will be responsible for implementing the new provisions. Its composition will now include officials from the agriculture and revenue departments, in addition to the forest department.
The SLC will advise state governments on measures to promote agroforestry, simplify felling and transit regulations, and boost timber production from farmland. It will also empanel agencies responsible for verifying applications and monitoring the movement of timber.
A central feature of the new system is the mandatory registration of plantation lands on the National Timber Management System (NTMS) portal.
Farmers will need to provide details such as land ownership, location, tree species, planting dates, and geotagged images of each tree in KML file format. The NTMS will generate data on tree girth, height, yield, and species, helping automate approvals.
For felling more than 10 trees, farmers must apply online, triggering a field verification by an empanelled agency. A report will be prepared with detailed information on the land and timber, based on which a felling permit will be issued.
For up to 10 trees, applicants only need to upload tree photos on the portal. Once felled, photos of the stumps must also be submitted. A no-objection certificate will be auto-generated unless the department decides to send an official for verification.
Divisional forest officers will monitor the work of verifying agencies and submit quarterly performance reports to the SLC.
Officials say the move will not only remove bottlenecks for farmers but also support India’s broader climate and environmental goals by promoting sustainable tree cultivation on agricultural lands.
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