Question : National Forest Policy- 2018

(a) the purpose and goal of the National Forest Policy, 2018;
(b) whether the Government proposes to revise the existing National Forest Policy, 1988, if so,the time by which the same shall be done;
(c) whether the Government has formulated any draft of National Forest Policy for stakeholder consultation, if so, the details thereof; and
(d) whether the Government has published any draft Notification on the National Forest Policy, 2018, inviting the objections/comments/suggestions from various stakeholders including public/ private organizations and concerned citizens regarding empanelment of Government institutions of national repute for carrying out compliance monitoring of environment clearance conditions of projects/activities, if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(DR. MAHESH SHARMA)


(a) to (d) To revise the existing National Forest Policy, 1988, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change had prepared Draft National Forest Policy, 2018. The purpose of the Draft National Forest Policy, 2018 is to address the issues that have come up during the last 30 years in the management of forests at global, regional and local levels such as issues of (a) global warming triggered due to climate change (b) increasing demand for wood and wood products in the country (c) use of wood as a carbon neutral renewable resource (d) making the rivers clean and perennial (e) water security and ground water recharge, (f) country’s commitment to achieve Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) targets and (g) reflecting the role and responsibilities of Gram Sabha, forest dwelling communities and Panchayati Raj Institutions in conservation and management of forests, etc.

The overall goal of the Draft National Forest Policy, 2018 is to safeguard ecological security of the country and sustainably enhance forest based economic opportunities for livelihood security of forest dependent communities, of the present and future generations, based on principles of sustainable management.

Draft National Forest Policy, 2018 was circulated to all concerned Central Ministries/Departments and State/UT Governments. The Draft National Forest Policy was also placed in the public domain in March, 2018 for inviting comments from various stakeholders viz. Public/Private Sectors, NGOs, Civil Society, Experts and other concerned individuals.

After an exhaustive and wide consultation processes with all major stakeholders and incorporating their feedbacks, the Draft National Forest Policy, 2018 has been further revised. Monitoring of compliances of the conditions imposed while according forest clearance has also been proposed in the Draft National Forest Policy, 2018. However, the Ministry has not set any time limit for finalization of the new National Forest Policy.

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