NEW DELHI: The Union environment ministry has issued model rules for felling of trees in agricultural land with the objective of supporting states and UT in simplifying regulatory frameworks and promoting agroforestry.It also asked states and UTs to examine the model rules and consider their adoption in order to enhance “ease of doing business” in agroforestry and incentivise farmers to integrate trees into their farming systems without facing undue procedural hurdles.The move will help pulp and paper industries, including newsprint production, besides encouraging farmers to opt for agroforestry in a sustainable manner. The process will eventually also streamline the carbon credit earning mechanism for farmers who opt for agroforestry.Agroforestry offers multiple benefits, including enhancing rural livelihoods, improving soil health, conserving biodiversity, increasing tree cover, water conservation, contributing to climate resilience, while reducing pressure on natural forests.“The initiative is expected to encourage greater participation and open up opportunities for farmers and other stakeholders to adopt agroforestry practices… By promoting domestic timber production through agroforestry, the approach seeks to close demand-supply gap, support wood-based industries with locally sourced raw materials and boost exports,” said the ministry in a statement on Sunday.As per the model rules, applicants will be required to register their plantations on the National Timber Management System (NTMS) portal, which is being developed. This involves submitting basic plantation data, including land ownership information, location of the farm with species and plantation period.
