Development of Trees Outside Forests Resources in India Need Forenabling Regulatory Framework

Abstract

The primary aim of India's National Forest Policy, 1988 is to ensure environmental stability and maintenance of ecological balance. This brought in paradigm shift in management of forests for conservation, ecological stability, eco system services . The policy envisaged the forest-based industry to raise the raw material needed for meeting its requirements, preferably by establishment of direct relationship between the factory and the individuals, and to encourage farmers to grow tree species required by the industries. This resulted in enhanced focus on 'Trees outside Forests' (ToF), including agroforestry, to meet the needs in respect of wood and wood products. Prevalent Regulatory framework is often quoted as a hurdle in growth of tree cultivation in private lands. However, it is important to note that liberal/no transit regulation on tree species growing on non-forest areas (ToF) or preferred by tree growers for planting on private lands may be a necessary but is not a sufficient condition for growth of ToF including agroforestry. Efficient downstream processing using appropriate latest technologies, improvement of infrastructure and creating awareness about use of wood and wood substitutes made from plantation wood and other renewable fibres are very important. A multi stakeholder committee constituted by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India in July 2011, headed by the author, to study the regulatory regime regarding felling and transit regulations for tree species grown on non-forest/private lands, undertook a critical analysis of the existing state legislations and rules regarding felling and transit of tree species, and various suggestions for relaxation in transit and felling permission for the species preferred by the farmers and people pursuing agroforestry. Mentioning the report of the committee, the National Agroforestry Policy (NAP), 2014 prescribed for inclusion of relevant recommendations in its implementation guidelines. The NAP also underscored the need for action on the regulatory bottlenecks impeding the growth of agroforestry identified by the committee, Describing the increasing importance of ToF and agroforestry resources, this paper attempts to analyse the actions taken to liberalise regulatory regime related to tree cultivation in non-forest private lands since the enunciation of the NAP and suggests a way forward to create an enabling legal framework for the much needed development of the ToF resources including agroforestry tree production systems.