Promotion of Agroforestry: Tree Felling Model Rules and National Timber Management System

Source: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC)
Date: 1 July 2025
Relevant Papers: UPSC GS Paper 3 (Environment & Agriculture), State PSC, NDA, CAPF, etc.

🔶 Background

Agroforestry in India is a farming method that involves cultivating trees on agricultural land. Along with ecological benefits, it can also enhance farmers’ income. However, the biggest hurdle so far has been the complex approval process for tree felling.

To address this issue, the MoEFCC released the “Model Rules for Tree Felling on Agricultural Land” on 29 June 2025, along with the launch of a digital platform called the National Timber Management System (NTMS).

🎯 Objectives of the Model Rules

🔹 To simplify agroforestry practices and encourage farmers to adopt them
🔹 To develop tree-based farming into a commercially viable activity
🔹 To promote economic development while maintaining environmental balance
🔹 To ensure transparency and traceability through digitalization

 Why was this initiative needed?

 Benefits of Agroforestry:
• Enhances water conservation and soil fertility
• Improves climate resilience
• Protects biodiversity
• Provides an additional source of income

 Challenges Faced Previously:
• Lengthy and bureaucratic process for tree felling approvals
• Corruption and uncertainty
• Discouragement among farmers to plant trees on farmland

 Key Features of the Model Rules

🔸 Formation of State-level Committees (as per 2016 Wood-Based Industries Guidelines)
🔸 Mandatory registration on the NTMS portal, including:
• Proof of land ownership
• Farm location (with KML files)
• Tree species and count
• Geo-tagged photographs
• Online application for felling permission

🔸 Physical verification by certified agencies, monitored by the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of the Forest Department

 Significance and Impact

🌿 Useful from both economic and environmental perspectives:
• Boost in domestic timber production
• Reduction in dependence on timber imports
• Sustainable and traceable raw material for wood-based industries
• Opening of new export opportunities
• Supports India’s climate commitments (through increased tree cover)
• Enhanced farmer incomes and sustainable use of farmland

 Practice Questions (Useful for UPSC/PSC Exams)

Q.1: Comment on the recent government initiative related to agroforestry.
Q.2: How does the National Timber Management System (NTMS) aid in the sustainable use of forests in India?
Q.3: Discuss the key objectives and potential impacts of the “Model Rules for Tree Felling on Agricultural Land.”

Agroforestry

Agroforestry, also known as agri-silviculture, is a land management system that integrates trees, crops, and/or livestock on the same land. It is a sustainable system that offers environmental, economic, and social benefits.

✅ Major Benefits of Agroforestry:

🌱 Environmental Benefits:

• Reduces soil erosion
• Enhances biodiversity
• Promotes carbon sequestration
• Improves water quality
• Mitigates the impacts of climate change

💰 Economic Benefits:

• Increases farmers’ income
• Provides additional sources of revenue
• Enhances productivity and yield
• Supports biodiversity and food security

👥 Social Benefits:

• Empowers communities
• Enhances ecosystem services
• Contributes to rural development

 Types of Agroforestry Systems:

• Silvopasture: Integrating trees with pastureland
• Agrosilviculture: Integrating trees with crops
• Forest-Pasture System: Combining trees, pasture, and livestock

Agroforestry is a versatile system that can be adapted to various climatic and land conditions. It is a sustainable and profitable land management approach that delivers multiple benefits for the environment, economy, and society.

GoIStats App: A Step Towards India's Statistical Revolution

Topic: Government of India’s New Digital Initiative
Relevant Subjects: UPSC GS Paper 2 (Governance), GS Paper 3 (Economy – Data & Technology), Essay, Digital India
Date: 29 June 2025 (Statistics Day)
Source: MoSPI – Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation

🔷 Introduction

In modern governance, data is considered the new oil. Easy access to data is crucial for informed decision-making, policy formulation, and improving transparency. In this context, the Government of India launched a significant digital initiative — the GoIStats App — on 29 June 2025, marking Statistics Day.

This mobile application has been developed by the National Sample Survey Office (NSO) with the aim to make official data accessible to the public in real-time, promote data literacy, and encourage citizen participation in governance.

 Objectives of the GoIStats App

🔹 To provide citizens with authentic, up-to-date, and interactive data
🔹 To transform data literacy into a mass movement
🔹 To promote policy transparency and open governance
🔹 To provide students, researchers, and policymakers with access to decision-relevant data
🔹 To support the goals of Digital India and Viksit Bharat (Developed India)

 Key Features of the GoIStats App

🔸 Interactive Dashboard – Users can view real-time data on major socio-economic indicators like GDP, inflation, and unemployment
🔸 Dynamic Data Visualization – Graphs, charts, and infographics make complex data easy to understand
🔸 One-Click Data Download – Download data from the NSO database in CSV format
🔸 Advanced Search & Filtering – Search and filter data based on various indicators
🔸 Data Storytelling – Presents complex statistics in simple language through interactive narratives
🔸 Android App Available – Free to download from the Google Play Store; iOS version to be launched soon

🌟 Significance and Impact

 Supports Policy-making – Enhances decision-making with reliable data
 Useful for Researchers and Students – Easy access to official government datasets
✅ Strengthens Digital Empowerment – Reinforces the goals of the Digital India Mission
✅ Encourages Public Participation and Transparency – Promotes citizen involvement in governance
✅ Promotes Open Governance – Supports the Open Data Policy

📌 Conclusion

The GoIStats App propels India’s governance model toward a data-driven administrative system. This app not only makes statistical data simple and accessible but also empowers citizens and enhances democratic participation.

It represents a significant step in realizing the vision of Digital India and achieving the goal of a Developed India (Viksit Bharat).

📝 Practice Questions (Useful for UPSC / PSC)

Q.1: How does the GoIStats App contribute to digital governance in India?
Q.2: Why are transparency and accessibility of data important in democratic governance?
Q.3: Critically review the key announcements made on Statistics Day 2025 in the context of Digital India.