Dikhyaa Mohanty 
The Union Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change released the “Model Rules for Felling of Trees in Agricultural Lands” on Sunday, marking a significant step toward promoting agroforestry and streamlining laws for farmers. The purpose of these regulations is to assist states and Union Territories in streamlining processes associated with the production of wood and tree-based agriculture. These model regulations’ primary goal is to simplify the legal framework for tree-cutting on agricultural property. The Center’s goal is to promote agroforestry—the technique of planting trees alongside crops—by doing this.
Among the many advantages of agroforestry include increased tree cover, biodiversity preservation, improved soil health, improved rural livelihoods, water conservation, and climate resilience. Farmers and other stakeholders may now more easily register their agroforestry properties, control tree harvesting, and handle timber transportation thanks to the new model laws. It is anticipated that the initiative’s streamlined processes would promote increased agroforestry involvement and lessen reliance on wild forests for lumber. The State Level Committee established under the 2016 Wood-Based Industries Guidelines will be in charge of promoting agroforestry and managing agricultural timber output to guarantee correct implementation. Additionally, the committee will be in charge of hiring organizations to validate applications for tree-felling.
As per the rules, applicants will have to register their plantations on the upcoming National Timber Management System (NTMS) portal. This will involve uploading details like land ownership, farm location with a KML file, tree species, and the plantation period. The portal will also allow applicants to update plantation details and upload geotagged photos for better traceability. When a farmer wants to harvest trees, they can apply online through the NTMS portal by giving specific details of the trees. The empanelled agencies will then conduct site inspections and submit verification reports. Based on these reports, tree-felling permits will be issued for agricultural lands. Divisional Forest Officers will monitor these agencies to ensure transparency and accountability. The Ministry has urged all states and Union Territories to examine the model rules and consider adopting them.
