Question : National Forest Policy 2018

(a) the total land under the coverage of forest/trees across the country, as on date, State/UT- wise;
(b) whether the Government drafted a new National Forest Policy (NFP), 2018;
(c) if so, the details alongwith the aims and objectives thereof;
(d) whether the Government has elicited comments/ suggestions on the draft NFP, 2018 from various stakeholders and if so, the details and the outcome thereof;
(e) whether the new National Forest Policy has permitted the public to grow, harvest and market trees on government-owned lands and if so, the details thereof; and
(f) the time by which the new NFP will come into force?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI BABUL SUPRIYO)

(a) Forest Survey of India, Dehradun carries out the assessment of forest cover of the country biennially and the findings are published in India State of Forest Report (ISFR). As per the latest report i.e. ISFR-2019, the total forest and tree cover in the country is 8, 07, 276 (forest cover:- 7,12,249 (21.67%) tree cover 95,027 (2.89%)) which is 24.56 % of the geographical area of the country. There is an increase of 5,188 square kilometre (forest cover 3976 square kilometre, tree cover 1212 square kilometre) of total forest and tree cover compared to that of ISFR-2017. The State/UT-wise details of forest cover and tree cover are attached as Annexure 1.

(b) to (f) National Forest Policy, 1988 is the main policy document containing guiding principles for conservation, protection and management of forests in the country.

A draft was prepared to update the existing National Forest Policy, 1988 after wide consultations with all major stakeholders. The draft was circulated to all concerned Central Ministries/Departments and State/UT Governments. The draft was also placed in the public domain in March, 2018 for inviting comments from various stakeholders in the public/private Sectors, NGOs, civil societies, experts and other concerned individuals.

These comments/suggestions were considered and the draft has been appropriately revised in respect of various aspects including improving livelihoods of people based on sustainable management of forests for provision of ecosystem services and ecological security, increasing productivity of forests, promotion of agro-forestry and farm-forestry, addressing Climate Change issues, etc.

The Government has not set any time limit to update the National Forest Policy, 1988. As of now the existing National Forest Policy, 1988 is in operation.

***