**Policy Summary: Permissions for Forest Produce in India**
This document summarizes the Indian government's policy regarding permissions for forest produce, specifically addressing a query raised in Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 3673 on August 11, 2025. The question concerned the issuance of permits to local forest dwellers and tribals for the collection, storage, and sale of minor forest produce (MFP) such as Mahua, Piar, and other medicinal forest products, with a specific focus on Bihar.
The Minister of State in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change clarified that the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers Recognition of Forest Rights Act, 2006, recognizes the rights of forest dwellers to collect, use, and dispose of traditionally collected MFP. Furthermore, Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMCs) are permitted to collect Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFP) in various States and Union Territories.
Regarding Bihar, the Department of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, through resolution No. 3698 dated October 23, 2003, has delegated the power to identify, collect, store, process, and sell minor forest produce to three-tier local bodies: Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti, and Zila Parishad. Collection of NTFP is undertaken through JFMCs as per approved working plans. Resolution No. 332 dated January 28, 2013, appointed Bihar Vaniki Vikas Nigam Limited as the agent of Panchayats for the collection, storage, and sale of kendu leaves.
Data provided by the Government of Bihar indicates the following kendu leaves collection:
* 2023-24: 47,686 standard bags
* 2024-25: 49,470 standard bags
* 2025-26 (till July 31, 2025): 37,412 standard bags
In conclusion, the policy framework emphasizes the rights of traditional forest dwellers regarding MFP, with implementation in Bihar involving decentralized governance through local bodies and JFMCs, and specific provisions for kendu leaves collection managed through the Bihar Vaniki Vikas Nigam Limited.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change: The Indian government ministry responsible for environmental protection and climate change policies.
SHRI SUDHAKAR SINGH: A member of Lok Sabha who raised a question regarding permissions for forest produce.
Madhya Pradesh: A state in India where permissions/permits are issued to local forest dwellers for collection, storage, and sale of forest products.
Bihar: A state in India where the questioner is asking about issuing permits to tribals for collection and sale of forest products.
SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH: Minister of State in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, who provided the answer to the question.
Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers Recognition of Forest Rights Act, 2006: An Indian law that recognizes the rights of forest dwellers to collect, use, and dispose of minor forest produce.
Joint Forest Management Committees: Committees in different States and UTs that are allowed to collect Non-Timber Forest produces.
Bihar Vaniki Vikas Nigam Limited: An agent of Panchayats for collection, storage and sale of kendu leaves
OIH
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3673
TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.08.2025
Permission for Forest Produce
3673. SHRI SUDHAKAR SINGH:
Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to
state:
(a) whether it is a fact that in some States including Madhya Pradesh, permissions/permits
are issued to local forest dwellers for collection, storage and sale of Mahua, Piar and
other medicinal forest products;
(b) whether the Government has any plan to issue permits on similar lines to tribals in
Bihar for collection and sale of Mahua, Piar and other traditional and medicinal forest
products;
(c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
(d) the details of the quantum of forest products produced in Bihar, especially in Kaimur
district and the number of permits issued; and
(e) whether the Government proposes to take any special initiative for policy formulation
in coordination with the State Government of Bihar in this regard?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND
CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)
(a) The right of ownership, access to collect, use, and dispose of all minor forest
produce traditionally collected by forest dwellers is recognized as per the
provisions of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers
(Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006.
Further, in different States and UTs the Joint Forest Management Committees
are allowed to collect Non Timber Forest produces.
(b) to (e) As per the information provided by Government of Bihar, the Department of
Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bihar vide its resolution No. 3698
dated 23-10-2003 has delegated the power to identify, collect, store, process and
sell minor forest produce to the three tier local bodies namely Gram Panchayat,
Panchayat Samiti and Zila Parishad. The collection of Non Timber Forest
produces from forest areas in Bihar is undertaken through Joint Forest
Management Committees as per approved working plan. Further, the
Department of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of Bihar
vide its resolution No. 332 dated 28-01-2013 has appointed Bihar Vaniki VikasNigam Limited as the agent of Panchayats for collection, storage and sale of
kendu leaves.
As per the information provided by Government of Bihar, the quantity of
Kendu Leaves collected are as given below:
SN Financial Year Kendu leaves collection (in number of
standard bags)
1. 2023-24 47,686
2. 2024-25 49,470
3. 2025-26 (till 31st July, 2025) 37,412
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