Overview
- In a January 2 circular to states, the environment ministry reclassified assisted regeneration, afforestation and plantations under approved working or management plans as forestry activities exempt from Net Present Value and compensatory afforestation.
- The order amends sub‑paragraph 14 of paragraph 7.2 of the November 29, 2023 consolidated guidelines, reversing earlier treatment that deemed many commercial or low‑rotation plantations as non‑forestry and fee‑liable.
- Projects must be supervised by state forest departments and supported by a detailed project report aligned with the working plan, while states may set case‑by‑case frameworks for utilisation and revenue sharing.
- The ministry cites a Forest Advisory Committee recommendation and alignment with restoration goals and Green Credit participation, with officials on January 8 saying the move targets degraded forests and does not hand management to private entities.
- Congress leader Jairam Ramesh and several experts warn the policy could enable privatisation and promote monocultures that harm biodiversity, noting industry interest and rising pulp and paper import dependence.