Parliament Question: Illegal Tree Felling and Forest Conservation

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3560 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.08.2026 Illegal Tree Felling and Forest Conservation 3560. DR. AMAR SINGH: Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government is aware of the increasing incidents of illegal tree felling in various parts of the country; (b) the details of number of cases of illegal tree felling reported during the last five years, State/UT-wise, along with the action taken against the offenders; (c) whether the Government has assessed the impact of such illegal felling on forest cover, biodiversity and climate resilience and if so, the details thereof; (d) the details of measures taken by the Government to strengthen monitoring, surveillance, and enforcement to prevent illegal tree felling, including the use of technology; and (e) whether the Government proposes to introduce any new schemes or policy measures to enhance afforestation, community participation and protection of forests and if so, the details thereof? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH) (a) to (e): Instances of illegal tree felling are reported from time to time from different parts of the country. The protection and management of forest and tree resources are primarily the responsibility of the respective State Governments and Union Territory Administrations, which take appropriate action under the provisions of the Indian Forest Act, 1927, Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980, and the respective State Forest Acts, Tree Preservation Acts and Rules. The instances regarding the illegal felling of trees as and when detected are booked by the respective State Governments/UT Administrations 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. The Ministry through Forest Survey of India carries out biennial assessment of forest and tree cover of the country through the India State of Forest Report (ISFR) using satellite-based remote sensing and field-based ground truthing. 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. Illegal tree felling may adversely affect forestecosystems, biodiversity and the ecological functions of forests. The impact of specific incidents is dealt with by the concerned State Governments and Union Territory Administrations. The Ministry provides technical and financial support to the States and Union Territories through various schemes and programmes of the Central Government for increasing forest and tree cover, including protection, conservation and sustainable management of forests in the country. These include, inter alia, the National Mission for a Green India (GIM), Nagar Van Yojana (NVY), Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats and Tangible Incomes (MISHTI), Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA), Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats, and forest fire prevention and management schemes. Further, the plantation campaign "एक पेड़ माँ के नाम (#Plant4Mother)", launched on the occasion of World Environment Day 2024 and continued during the current year, promotes plantation activities across the country, through a "Whole of Government" and "Whole of Society" approach with participation of all stakeholders for increasing the green cover. The Ministry issues advisories to States/UTs to protect forests and trees as per the provisions of the law including prevention of illegal logging. Measures taken include survey and demarcation of forest land, boundary pillars, regular patrolling, legal action under extant laws and community participation through Joint Forest Management Committees. *****