Centre issues Model Rules for Felling of Trees in Agricultural Lands
On 29 June 2025 in New Delhi, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change issued the 'Model Rules for Felling of Trees in Agricultural Lands' to help States and UTs simplify rules and promote agroforestry.
Summary
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) issued the 'Model Rules for Felling of Trees in Agricultural Lands' on 29 June 2025 to help States and Union Territories simplify regulation and promote agroforestry. Applicants must register plantations on the National Timber Management System (NTMS) portal, which is being developed, with land ownership details, farm location (KML file), species and plantation period, and can apply online to fell trees. Empanelled verifying agencies will inspect sites before felling permits are issued, under the supervision of Divisional Forest Officers. The State Level Committee set up under the Wood-Based Industries (Establishment and Regulation) Guidelines, 2016 will implement the model rules (static).
Key facts
- Issued by
- MoEFCC, 29 June 2025
- Aim
- Simplify tree felling and transit on farmland; promote agroforestry
- Portal
- National Timber Management System (NTMS), being developed
- Verification
- Empanelled agencies; supervised by Divisional Forest Officers
- Implementer (static)
- State Level Committee under Wood-Based Industries (Establishment and Regulation) Guidelines, 2016
Practice MCQs 3 questions
Which ministry issued the 'Model Rules for Felling of Trees in Agricultural Lands' on 29 June 2025?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
PIB: the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has issued the 'Model Rules for Felling of Trees in Agricultural Lands'.
Under the Model Rules for felling trees on farmland, applicants must register plantations on which portal?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — National Timber Management System (NTMS)
PIB: applicants are required to register their plantations on the National Timber Management System (NTMS) portal, which is being developed.
Consider the following about the Model Rules for Felling of Trees in Agricultural Lands (June 2025): 1. They will be implemented by the State Level Committee under the Wood-Based Industries (Establishment and Regulation) Guidelines, 2016. 2. Divisional Forest Officers will supervise the verifying agencies. 3. Felling permits are issued directly by Gram Panchayats without site inspection. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
Statements 1 and 2 are correct (PIB). Statement 3 is wrong: verifying agencies carry out site inspections, and permits are issued based on their reports.