GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1033
TO BE ANSWERED ON 13.02.2025
lllegal felling of trees
1033. SHRI JAVED ALI KHAN:
SHRI RAMJI LAL SUMAN:

Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased
to state:

(a) whether Government has conducted any assessment on the scale of illegal tree felling across the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise;

(c) the steps taken to curb illegal tree felling, including technological tools and enhanced forest protection mechanism;

(d) the details of penalties and legal actions taken against individuals and organizations involved in illegal tree felling during the last three years, along with the convictionrates,State-wise; and

(e) the details of afforestation or reforestation initiatives to offset forest loss from illegal activities, State-wise?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND
CLIMATE CHANGE

(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)

(a) and (b) The assessment of the illegal tree felling instances is carried out by the local forest authorities and the associated data is maintained in the relevant forest offence registers in accordance with the guidelines prescribed by the concerned State Governments/UT Administrations.

(c) to (e) The protection and management of forest and tree resources is primarily the responsibility of the concerned State Governments/Union Territory Administrations. There are legal frameworks for the protection and management of forest and tree resources which include, the Indian Forest Act 1927, Van (SanrakshanEvamSamvardhan) Adhiniyam 1980, Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972, Biological Diversity Act, 2002, and the State Forest Acts and Rules. The State Governments /UT Administrations take appropriate actions to protect forests and trees as per the provisions made under these Acts/Rules.

Theinstances regarding the illegal felling of trees as and when detected are booked under the relevant Acts and proceeded against the offenders before the competent Authorities. The details in this regard are maintained by the concerned State Governments/ UT
Administrations.
In order to stop the illegal felling of trees, State Governments are taking various measures such as regular patrolling in the forest areas, establishment of patrolling camps/antipoaching camps, check posts at strategic and vulnerable locations, deployment of vigilance and flying squad parties, regular inspections in vulnerable areas, etc. Besides, State Forest Departments are also implementing Joint Forest Management programmes, awareness campaigns, educational programmes, etc., to secure the involvement of communities in forest protection activities.

The Ministry supports the efforts of the State Governments/ UT Administrations for afforestation and conservation of forests through various plantation schemes such as National Mission for Green India, Nagar Van Yojana, and the Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes(MISHTI). Afforestation activities are also undertaken in a major way by utilizing the Compensatory Afforestation Fund (CAMPA).

The Ministry is also implementing the 20 Point Programme (TPP) scheme wherein,Afforestation targets of Item No 51-Afforestation – 51(a) – Area Covered under plantation on – Public and Forest Lands (Hectare) & 51(b)- Number of Seedlings to be planted on Public and Forest Lands (Number) are fixedannually by the Ministry to all States/UTs. These targets are achievedcollectively by the States/UTs through various programmes of the Central Government Schemes, State Governmentplans, non-plan schemes, and plantation efforts by NGOs, Private organizations, and Civil Societies. The details of plantation taken by States/UTs under the 20 Point Programme in last three years are given at the Annexure.

Further, on the occasion of World Environment Day 5th June 2024, the Hon’ble Prime Minister has launched the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ (एक पेड़ माँ के नाम) campaign and urged all citizens to contribute to make our planet better and called upon everyone, in India and around the world, to plant a tree as a tribute to our mothers. The initiative encouraged people to plant a sapling as a tribute to their mothers, intertwining the themes of environmental care with the universal bond of maternal love.