**Policy Summary: Exemption of Tree Species from Felling Permissions**
This document summarizes the Indian government's policy regarding the exemption of tree species from felling permissions, as addressed in Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 3566 on August 11, 2025.
The felling of trees on non-forest private lands is governed by individual State/Union Territory (UT) Acts and Rules. Consequently, the record of tree species exempted from felling permission is maintained by each respective State/UT.
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has issued guidelines and advisories to States/UTs regarding the exemption of agroforestry tree species grown on non-forest private lands from felling permit requirements. Furthermore, in June 2025, the MoEFCC issued Model Rules for 'Felling of Trees in Agricultural Land' for consideration by States and Union Territories, with the aim of encouraging and promoting agroforestry among farmers. The policy also addresses the potential review of exemption status for ecologically significant species included in exempted lists by certain states.
Key Entities Referenced
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE: A ministry of the Government of India responsible for environmental and forestry matters.
SHRI KONDA VISHWESHWAR REDDY: Member of Parliament who raised the unstarred question No. 3566 in Lok Sabha.
SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH: Minister of State in the MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE who provided the answer to the question.
State UT: Refers to the States and Union Territories within India.
Model Rules for 'Felling of Trees in Agricultural Land': A set of rules issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in June 2025 for consideration by States and Union Territories to encourage agroforestry.
agroforestry: Land use management systems in which trees or shrubs are grown around or among crops or pastureland.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India.
neem: Ecologically significant tree species, exemption status of which is under review by the government.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3566
TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.08.2025
Tree Species Exempted from Felling
3566. SHRI KONDA VISHWESHWAR REDDY:
Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to
state:
(a) whether the Government maintains a record of tree species exempted from felling
permission across the country, State/UT-wise;
(b) if so, the details thereof, including the list of species that can be legally felled
without prior approval under simplified procedures, State/UT-wise;
(c) whether the Government has issued any guidelines or advisory to States for
preparing such exemption lists while balancing ecological concerns; and
(d) whether the Government proposes to review the exemption status of ecologically
significant species, such as neem, which have been included in the exempted lists
by certain States?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND
CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)
(a) to (d) The felling of trees grown on non-forest/ private lands are governed by State/ UT
specific Acts and Rules. The list of tree species which are exempted from the
purview of obtaining felling permission is maintained by the respective State/
UT.
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has issued guidelines
and advisories to States/ UTs for exempting agroforestry tree species grown on
non-forest/ private lands from the requirement of felling permits.
In June 2025, the Ministry has also issued Model Rules for 'Felling of Trees in
Agricultural Land' for consideration by States and Union Territories, with the
objective of encouraging and promoting agroforestry amongst farmers.
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