Part of: GS Prelims and GS-III- Forestry; Environment
In news
Recently the Director General of Forests has advocated for the amendment of National Forest Policy, 1988.
It is based on a research paper published in 2016 in the Natural Resources Forum, a United Nations Sustainable Development Journal.
The research paper called for sustainable forest management based on certification and a policy characterised by restoration, conservation and production equally.
Key takeaways from the research paper
There is a lack of reliable data relating to growing stock, consumption and production of timber.
The potential of timber production from Trees Outside Forests (TOFs) i.e. grown outside government Recorded Forest Areas (RFAs) must be explored and tapped.
Since the domestic timber production has declined and imports have increased manifolds. There is a need to review Export-Import Policy.
The paper emphasized on revising the Indian Forest Policy to boost domestic production.
Important value additions
India’s forests are currently governed by the National Forest Policy, 1988.
The Policy has environmental balance and livelihood at its centre.
Some features and Goals: (1) Maintenance of environmental stability through preservation and restoration of ecological balance; (2) Conservation of Natural Heritage (existing); (3) Checking Soil Erosion and Denudation in catchment areas of rivers, lakes, and reservoirs; (4) Checking extension of sand dunes in desert areas of Rajasthan and along coastal tracts
A draft National Forest Policy was released in 2019.
The basic thrust of the draft is conservation, protection and management of forests along with safeguarding the interest of tribals and forest-dependent people.
