Sat Jun 28 06:37:03 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and rewrite of the provided text as a news article:
**Summary:**
The Indian government has introduced model rules to streamline the process of felling trees on agricultural land. This initiative aims to promote agroforestry, increase farmer incomes, expand tree cover, and contribute to climate change mitigation efforts. The new rules simplify the procedures for obtaining permission to cut trees, leveraging a national timber management system portal for registration, application, and monitoring. The program involves collaboration between forest, agriculture, and panchayati raj departments for verification and oversight.
**News Article:**
**India Simplifies Tree Felling on Farmland to Boost Agroforestry, Farmer Income**
*New Delhi – June 28, 2025* – In a move to encourage agroforestry and boost farmer income, the central government has issued model rules to simplify the process of felling trees on agricultural land. The new regulations are designed to incentivize farmers to integrate trees into their farming systems without facing undue bureaucratic hurdles.
The Environment Ministry announced the new rules in a letter to all state governments on June 19th, stating the initiative aims to double farmer’s income, enhance tree cover outside of forests, mitigate climate change and reduce timber imports. The promotion of agroforestry also supports India’s commitment to its climate goals under the Paris Agreement.
A key component of the new system is the National Timber Management System (NTMS) portal. Farmers will register their plantation land, providing details about tree species, planting dates, and average seedling height. Geotagged photos of each tree will also be required.
For lands with more than 10 trees to be felled, applicants must apply online through the NTMS. Verification agencies will conduct field visits and generate reports, leading to the issuance of felling permits. For 10 trees or fewer, the process is even more streamlined, requiring only photo uploads, allowing for automated permit approval.
The State Level Committee (SLC), already established under existing wood-based industry guidelines, will oversee the implementation of these rules. The committee, now expanded to include revenue and agriculture department officials, will advise state governments on promoting agroforestry and increasing timber production from agricultural lands. Divisional forest officers will monitor the performance of verification agencies, reporting quarterly to the SLC.
The government hopes that by simplifying the felling process, it can remove a significant barrier to agroforestry adoption and promote a more sustainable and profitable agricultural sector.
First Piper 