**Summary:**
In response to a parliamentary question regarding the illegal felling of trees, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) stated on July 28, 2025, that the protection and management of forests and tree cover are primarily the responsibility of State Governments and Union Territory Administrations. The Ministry outlined the existing legal frameworks in place, including the Indian Forest Act, 1927, the Van Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan Adhiniyam, 1980, the Wild Life Protection Act, 1972, State Forest Acts, and Tree Preservation Acts. Instances of illegal felling are addressed through legal action against offenders under these acts, with State Governments and Union Territory Administrations maintaining relevant data.
According to the India State of Forest Report 2023, published by the Forest Survey of India, Dehradun, the nation's forest cover increased by 156.41 square kilometers and tree cover increased by 1289.40 square kilometers since the ISFR 2021 report.
The government's measures to prevent illegal felling include: (i) regular forest patrols, (ii) establishment of patrolling/anti-poaching camps and check posts, (iii) deployment of vigilance and flying squads, and (iv) implementation of Joint Forest Management programs and awareness campaigns to engage communities in forest protection.
Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh provided this information in a written reply to the Lok Sabha.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change: The Indian government ministry responsible for environmental and forestry matters.
Indian Forest Act, 1927: A legal framework for the protection and management of forests and tree cover in India.
Van Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan Adhiniyam, 1980: A legal framework for the protection and management of forests and tree cover in India.
Wild Life Protection Act, 1972: A legal framework for the protection and management of forests and tree cover in India.
India State of Forest Report 2023: A report published by the Forest Survey of India assessing the state of forests in India.
Forest Survey of India, Dehradun: Organization responsible for assessment of forest resources of the country.
Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh: Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Parliament Question:- Illegal Felling of Trees
Posted On: 28 JUL 2025 3:50PM by PIB Delhi
Protection and management of forests and tree cover are primarily the responsibilities of the State
Governments/Union Territory Administrations. There are legal frameworks for the protection and
management of forests and tree cover of the country, which include, the Indian Forest Act, 1927, the Van
(Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980, the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, the State Forest
Acts, Tree Preservation Acts and Rules made thereunder. The instances regarding the illegal felling of trees as
and when detected are proceeded against the offenders before the competent Court/ Authorities under relevant
acts. The concerned State Governments / Union Territory Administrations maintain the particulars regarding
illegal felling of trees.
The local forest authorities carry out the assessment of the illegally felled trees and the associated data are
maintained in the relevant forest offence registers in accordance with the guidelines prescribed by the
concerned State Governments/ Union Territory Administrations. As per the India State of Forest Report-2023
published by the Forest Survey of India, Dehradun, the forest cover and tree cover in the country have
increased by 156.41 square kilometers and 1289.40 square kilometers respectively, as compared to the
assessment published in ISFR-2021.
The important steps taken by the Government to stop illegal felling of trees include the following:
i. regular patrolling in the forest areas by front-line forest staff to prevent occurrence of any
illegal/prohibited activities,
ii. establishment of patrolling camps/anti-poaching camps, check posts at strategic and vulnerable
locations,
iii. deployment of vigilance and flying squad parties, regular inspections in vulnerable areas, etc.
iv. implementing Joint Forest Management programmes, awareness campaigns, educational
programmes, etc., to secure the involvement of communities in forest protection activities.
This information was given by Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shri
Kirti Vardhan Singh in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
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VM/GS
(Release ID: 2149278)