PARLIAMENT QUESTION: TREE FELLING AND TIMBER TRANSIT FRAMEWORK - 27th July 2026 - Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change - Gazette Notification PDF
Read or download the official PDF of this gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change on 27th July 2026. Classified under Press Release.
Executive Summary
This report outlines the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change’s efforts to liberalize tree felling and timber transit regulations to promote agroforestry across India. Key initiatives include the December 2023 launch of the National Transit Pass System (NTPS) and the June 2025 issuance of Model Rules for felling trees on agricultural land. These measures aim to streamline digital permit issuance, provide technical guidance to farmers, and improve ease of doing business for wood-based industries.
Key Points / Main Content
Regulatory Oversight
Tree felling and transit permits for agroforestry are primarily regulated by State Governments under the Indian Forest Act, 1927, and state-specific management acts.
Procedures, documentation, and lists of exempted tree species vary between states based on local rules and court directions.
Digital and Policy Reforms
National Transit Pass System (NTPS): Launched in December 2023, this pan-India online platform digitizes the issuance of transit passes and No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for timber and bamboo.
Export Policy: As of May 2022, the export of bamboo charcoal is classified as "Free" to improve profitability and value addition in the bamboo sector.
Industrial Guidelines: The Wood-Based Industries (Establishment and Regulation) guidelines were revised in 2022 to ease regulations for industries using agroforestry species.
Technical Support and Resources
ICFRE Contributions: The Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education has released 69 varieties and clones of trees for use by farmers and forest departments.
Cultivation Guides: In March 2023, the Ministry released an 'FAQ on Agroforestry' for 36 tree species, alongside specific booklets for Agarwood, Sandalwood, Red Sanders, and Rosewood.
State Advisory and Uniformity
Model Rules: Issued in June 2025, these advisory rules provide a framework for states to simplify felling and transit procedures on private agricultural land.
Engagement: The Ministry conducts regular consultations, workshops, and capacity-building programs with States and Union Territories to promote uniformity and transparency.
Impact Analysis
State Governments and Union TerritoriesImpact
States are provided with a standardized framework (Model Rules) and a digital infrastructure (NTPS) to manage forest produce movement efficiently.
Action Required
States are encouraged to consider and adopt the advisory Model Rules and participate in capacity-building programs to streamline local regulations.
Farmers and Tree GrowersImpact
Growers benefit from reduced procedural delays, improved access to high-quality tree clones, and clear technical guidance on cultivation practices for commercial species.
Action Required
Farmers should utilize the NTPS for digital permits and refer to the Ministry’s FAQ and booklets for optimal cultivation practices.
Wood-Based IndustriesImpact
Industries experience improved ease of doing business through liberalized establishment regulations and the removal of export restrictions on bamboo charcoal.
Action Required
Industries must align their operations with the 2022 revised guidelines and utilize the NTPS to ensure traceability and efficient movement of raw materials.
Key Entities Referenced
National Transit Pass System (NTPS): A pan-India online system launched to digitize the issuance of transit permits for timber, bamboo, and other forest produce to facilitate seamless movement across state borders.
Indian Forest Act, 1927: The primary legislative framework under which state governments regulate the felling of trees and issuance of transit permits for timber.
Model Rules for "Felling of Trees in Agricultural Land": An advisory framework issued to States and Union Territories to simplify and streamline procedures for felling and transit of trees grown on private agricultural lands.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change: The central ministry responsible for issuing guidelines, advisories, and regulatory frameworks to liberalize agroforestry and wood-based industry regulations.
Wood Based Industries (Establishment and Regulation) guidelines: A regulatory document revised in 2022 to liberalize the establishment of industries using tree species grown under agroforestry.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
PARLIAMENT QUESTION: TREE FELLING AND
TIMBER TRANSIT FRAMEWORK
प्रव तथ: 27 JUL 2026 5:21PM by PIB Delhi
The felling of trees and issuance of transit permits for timber grown under agroforestry is regulated by the
respective State Governments under the provisions of the Indian Forest Act, 1927, State-specific Forest
Acts, State specific Tree management Acts, rules made thereunder, and orders of the Hon'ble Courts. The
list of exempted tree species, as well as the procedures and documentation required for obtaining felling
and transit permits, vary from State to State, depending upon the applicable State-specific Acts, rules and
directions of the Hon'ble Courts.
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has issued various guidelines and advisories to
States and Union Territories for liberalising the transit and felling regulations for promoting agroforestry.
The Ministry has revised the Wood Based Industries (Establishment and Regulation) guidelines in 2022 to
liberalize the regulations relating to setting up of Wood-based Industries using species grown under
agroforestry.
The Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) has been continuously pursuing tree
improvement programs to promote agroforestry. So far, ICFRE has released 69 varieties and clones that
are being widely planted by farmers, forest departments, forest development corporations and wood-based
industries in agro forestry and social forestry programmes.
During May 2022, the Central Government amended the export policy to make the export of bamboo
charcoal "Free", to create greater value addition within the bamboo sector, and improve the profitability
and livelihood opportunities associated with bamboo-based industries.
The Ministry, during March 2023 complied and released a book on 'FAQ on Agroforestry' which serves as
a guide to farmers and field practitioners by providing cultivation practices of 36 selective tree species
suitable for agroforestry systems and home gardens. The Ministry has also released booklets on cultivation
practices for four commercially important tree species, namely Agarwood, Sandalwood, Red sanders and
rosewood to promote their cultivation by farmers and tree growers.
During December 2023, the Ministry launched the National Transit Pass System (NTPS), a pan-India,
online system, to streamline and digitize the issuance of transit permits for timber, bamboo and other
forest produce. It facilitates seamless movement of forest produce across State and Union Territory
borders through a single digital platform, reduces procedural delays and promotes ease of doing business.
The system enables online issuance of transit passes and No Objection Certificates (NOCs), thereby
improving transparency, efficiency and traceability in the movement of forest produce. As of now,
4,36,258 Transit Passes have been issued throughout the Country including Tamil Nadu.
The Ministry, in June 2025, issued the Model Rules for "Felling of Trees in Agricultural Land" for
consideration and adoption by the States, with the objective of encouraging and promoting agroforestry
among farmers. The Model Rules are advisory in nature and provide a framework for States and UnionTerritories to simplify and streamline the procedures for felling and transit of trees grown on private
agricultural lands, while promoting greater uniformity, transparency, and ease of doing business in the
agroforestry sector.
The Ministry regularly engages with States and Union Territories, including Tamil Nadu, through
consultations, workshops and capacity-building programmes to facilitate and promote agroforestry.
This information was provided by MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT,
FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE, SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH, in a written reply to a question
in Lok Sabha today.
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VM/GS
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