Question : ILLEGAL FELLING AND SMUGGLING OF RARE COSTLY TREES

(a) the State-wise details of large-scale illegal felling and smuggling of rare and costly trees like Sandalwood and Teak as has been reported from various parts of the country, particularly from the State of Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh;

(b) the steps taken/ proposed to be taken by the Government to check illegal felling and smuggling of such trees;

(c) whether the Government proposes to constitute a Task Force to check the illegal felling and smuggling of such trees; and

(d) if so, the details thereof and the time by which it is likely to be constituted?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS(SHRI S. REGUPATHY)

(a)to(d): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

Statement referred to in reply to parts (a) to (d) of the Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 27 due for reply on 27.02.2008 regarding illegal felling and smuggling of rare/costly trees.

(a) No large scale illegal felling and smuggling of rare and costly trees like sandalwood and teak has been reported from different parts of the country. However incidents of illicit felling and smuggling do take place and details in this regard as furnished by the State/UT Governments and the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence are given in annexure.

(b) The protection and management of forests is primarily the responsibility of the State/UT Governments.The steps taken by the Government of India and State/UT Governments are as follows:

# Legal measures like Indian Forest Act, 1927, Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, Forest Conservation Act, 1980 and Environment Protection Act, 1986 and the rules, guidelines thereof various State Acts and Rules thereof.

# Management measures,like working of forests according to approved Working Plans, involvement of local communities in protection and management of forests.

# Financial measures,like providing assistance to the States/Union Territories under Centrally Sponsored Schemes.Under the Centrally Sponsored Integrated Forest Protection Scheme, funds are provided to States and Union territories primarily for strengthening of Infrastructure for protection of forests from illicit fellings, fires, encroachments etc.

# Patrolling of the area

# Creation of check posts and barriers

# Mechanism of transit permit for movement of forest produce

# Flying squads, mobile protection units and vigilance parties for regular inspection.

# Survey and Demarcation of forest areas

# Involvement of local communities through formulation of Joint Forest Management Committees

# Meetings of the officials of the border States to strengthen inter-state protection mechanism

(c) There is no such proposal.

(d) Does not arise.