A key challenge identified by stakeholders has been the lack of clear and harmonized rules for felling trees grown on agricultural land, which often hindered both cultivation and the marketing of agroforestry produce.

In a significant move aimed at bolstering farmer incomes, enhancing tree cover, and promoting sustainable land use, the Government of India’s Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has unveiled new “Model Rules for Felling of Trees in Agricultural Land.” These comprehensive guidelines, developed after extensive consultations with states, seek to streamline the regulatory framework surrounding agroforestry, a practice vital for India’s environmental and economic goals.

Agroforestry, which integrates trees into farming systems, has been consistently championed by the government as a multi-faceted solution to national priorities. These include doubling farmers’ income, increasing tree cover outside traditional forest areas, mitigating climate change, reducing timber imports, and ensuring sustainable land management. The practice also plays a crucial role in enhancing ecosystem services, diversifying livelihoods, and contributing to India’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement.

A key challenge identified by stakeholders has been the lack of clear and harmonized rules for felling trees grown on agricultural land, which often hindered both cultivation and the marketing of agroforestry produce. To address this, the Ministry held two rounds of consultations in April and May 2025, gathering feedback from states and union territories on proposed reforms. The new model rules are a direct outcome of these discussions, designed to provide predictability and ease of doing business for farmers, entrepreneurs, and investors in the agroforestry sector.

The Ministry has urged all States and Union Territories to examine and adopt these model rules. The primary objective is to incentivize farmers to integrate trees into their farming systems without facing undue procedural hurdles, thereby unlocking the full potential of agroforestry. The central government has also pledged to provide necessary technical support to states for the adoption, implementation, and capacity building required for integrating these new agroforestry practices.

Key Provisions

• State-Level Committee (SLC): The existing SLC under the ‘Wood-Based Industries (Establishment and Regulation) Guidelines, 2016’ will be expanded to include officers from the Revenue and Agriculture Departments. This committee will advise on agroforestry promotion, timber production enhancement, and the simplification of felling and transit regimes for commercially important timber species.
• Empanelment of Verifying Agencies: The SLC will be responsible for empanelling expert agencies to verify applications for tree felling and timber transit from agricultural lands. These agencies will engage qualified auditors for field assessments.
• National Timber Management System (NTMS) Integration: A cornerstone of the new rules is the mandatory online registration of plantation areas by applicants on the NTMS portal. This system will facilitate the submission of land ownership details and location of agricultural land, as well as periodic updates on plantation details.
• Streamlined Felling Permits:
  • For more than 10 trees: Applicants will submit online applications on the NTMS. Verifying Agencies will conduct field visits and generate a “Felling Permit” based on a detailed Verification Report, which includes projections of timber yield.
  • For up to 10 trees: A simplified process allows applicants to upload photos of their trees on the NTMS. The portal will compute circumference, height, and estimate yield. A “No Objection Certificate (NOC)” will be automatically issued through the portal. Post-felling, applicants must upload photos of the stumps.
• Monitoring and Traceability: The rules emphasize the use of technology for timber traceability, including geotagged images of trees. Divisional Forest Officers (DFOs) will monitor the functioning of Verifying Agencies and submit quarterly reports to the SLC.

These new rules are expected to significantly boost the agroforestry sector, contributing to India’s self-reliance in timber production and positioning the nation as a global leader in sustainable timber markets. By simplifying procedures and providing a clear regulatory framework, the government aims to encourage private participation and ensure tangible financial benefits for farmers and landowners.