Description

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Context

On June 29, 2025, the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change issued Model Rules to streamline regulations for tree felling on agricultural lands.

The initiative aims to promote agroforestry, assist farmers in integrating trees and crops, and reduce reliance on natural forests. A new NTMS portal is also being developed to digitally manage geo-tagged plantation data and harvesting authorizations.

What is Agroforestry?

Definition: Agroforestry is the practice of growing trees and agricultural crops on the same land.
Types include agrisilviculture (crops and trees), silvopasture (trees and livestock), and agrisilvopastoral (trees, crops, pasture, and animals), among others.
Agroforestry in India: It comprises 8.65% (28.42 million hectares) of India's total geographical area.
For statistical purposes, the government defines agroforestry as having more than 10% tree cover on agricultural land.

Objectives and Aim of the Initiative

To streamline the regulatory frameworks for agroforestry and timber harvesting.
To increase rural incomes by promoting tree cultivation on farmlands.
Balancing ecological needs with economic development in rural areas.
To improve traceability, transparency, and compliance using digital platforms.

Initiatives to Promote Agroforestry

National Agroforestry Policy (2014): To promote agroforestry and establish a framework for research, development, and expansion of agroforestry practices.
Sub-Mission for Agroforestry (SMAF): It is part of the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA).
GROW Initiative: NITI Aayog has launched an initiative aimed at transforming India's wastelands through agroforestry.
Amendment to the Forest Act of 1927 in 2017: Bamboo was redefined as grass rather than a tree, which simplified harvesting and transportation.

Source: The Hindu

Practice Question:

Q. With reference to the “Model Rules for Felling of Trees in Agricultural Land” released by the Ministry of Agriculture, consider the following statements:

The Model Rules aim to ease tree felling permissions on private agricultural land to encourage agroforestry.

The rules are legally binding on all states and union territories.

They seek to balance environmental conservation with farmers' economic interests.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A) 1 and 2 only

B) 1 and 3 only

C) 2 and 3 only

D) 1, 2 and 3

Answer:

B) 1 and 3 only

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: The Model Rules aim to simplify the regulatory process for tree felling on private agricultural lands, thereby promoting agroforestry.

Statement 2 is incorrect: These rules are not legally binding; they serve as a guideline for states, which may adopt or modify them as per their own laws.

Statement 3 is correct: The rules aim to strike a balance between promoting tree-based income for farmers and maintaining environmental safeguards.