Question : National Forest Policy 1988

(a) whether the National Forest Policy of 1988 has provisions to tackle current challenges of economic growth;
(b) if so, the measures taken to frame new National Forest Policy to ensure sustainable development;
(c) whether the Government has invited comments/ suggestions on the National Forest Policy 2018 from various stakeholders including public/private organisations and concerned citizens, if so, the details thereof; and
(d) the total number of comments/suggestions that have been received from the public and the action taken by the Government on these suggestions?

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

(a) The National Forest Policy, 1988 is the main policy document containing guiding principles for conservation, protection and management of forests in the country. The principal aim of the National Forest Policy, 1988 is to ensure environmental stability and maintenance of ecological balance including atmospheric equilibrium which are vital for sustenance of all lifeforms, human, animal and plant. The derivation of direct economic benefit is subordinated to this principal aim.

(b) to (d) 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. More than 1200 comments/suggestions were received from those stakeholders.

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, addressing Climate Change issues, etc.
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