objective and goal of National Forest Policy 2018.

The overall objective and goal of the present policy is to safeguard the ecological and livelihood security of
people, of the present and future generations, based on sustainable management of the forests for the flow
of ecosystem services In order. to achieve the national goal for eco-security, the country should have a
minimum of one-third of the total land area under forest and tree cover. In the hills and mountainous regions,
the aim will be to maintain two-third of the area under forest & tree cover in order to prevent soil erosion and
land degradation and also to ensure the stability of the fragile eco-systems.

The following objectives shall be guiding the National Forest Policy.

 
2.1 Maintenance of environmental stability and conservation of biodiversity through preservation and
conservation of natural forests.
2.2 Reverse the degradation of forest by taking up rehabilitation without compromising its natural profile.
2.3 Improvement in livelihoods for people based on sustainable use of ecosystem services.
2.4 Contribute towards achieving forestry related Nationally Determined Contribution Targets (NDC’s) of
the country.
2.5 Checking denudation and soil erosion in the catchments of rivers and the wetlands through
integrated watershed management techniques and practices.
2.6 Maintenance of the health of forest vegetation and forest soils for augmenting water supplies
through recharge of underground aquifers and regulation of surface water flows.
2.7 Safeguard forest land by exercising strict restraint on diversion for non-forestry purposes, and strict
oversight on compliance of the conditions.
2.8 Increasing substantially the forest/tree cover in the country through Afforestation & reforestation
programmes, especially on all denuded and degraded forest lands and area outside forests.
2.9 Manage protected areas and other wildlife rich areas with the primary objective of biodiversity
conservation and for enriching other ecosystem services.
2.10 Conserve and sustainably manage mountain forests to ensure continuous flow of ecosystem
services, including watershed, biodiversity, cultural and spiritual services to both upstream and
downstream population.
2.11 Factor green accounting, valuation of ecosystem services and climate change concerns adequately
into the planning and management of all forests, protected areas and other ecosystems.
2.12 Increase substantially the tree cover outside forests by incentivizing agro-forestry and farm forestry,
facilitating assured returns, with enabling regulations and by promoting use of wood products.
2.13 Integrate climate change mitigation and adaptation measures in forest management through the
mechanism of REDD+(Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation plus) so
that the impacts of the climate change is minimised.
2.14 Incentivize sustainability in community managed, community owned private forests and creating a
sustained peoples’ movement for achieving these objectives.
2.15 Managing and expanding green spaces in urban and peri-urban areas to enhance citizens’ wellbeing.
2.16 Ensure effective translation of this policy into action by establishing credible measuring, monitoring
and evaluation framework, ensuring good governance, providing commensurate financial support
and developing an implementation framework with periodic review.

3. Essential Principles of Forest Management:

The following essential management principles will be pursued in this policy:-
3.1 Existing natural forests should be fully protected and their productivity improved. Adequate
measures will be taken to increase rapidly the forest cover on hill slopes, in catchment areas of
rivers, lakes and reservoirs and ocean shores and, on semi-arid, and desert tracts.
3.2 Productivity of the forest plantations will be increased through scientific and technological
interventions so as to encourage usage of more timber so that the dependency on other high carbon
footprint wood substitutes is reduced.
3.3 Management of the natural biodiversity rich forests for maximising the ecosystem services for
ecological security of the nation.
3.4 For conservation of flora, fauna and total biodiversity, the network of national parks, sanctuaries,
conservation reserves, community reserves, biosphere reserves and important wildlife corridors and
biodiversity heritage sites will be strengthened and extended adequately.
3.5 Afforestation with suitable species will be intensified so as to cater to the needs of the rural
population for fuel wood and small timber. Further alternative sources of energy like LPG etc will be
promoted in rural areas to reduce dependency on forests.
3.6 Non-Timber Forest Produce (NTFP) such as medicinal and aromatic plants, oil seeds, resins, wild
edibles, fibre, bamboo and grass etc. will be sustainably managed for improving the income of the
tribals & other forest dependent populations.
3.7 Promotion of trees outside forests & urban greens will be taken up on a mission mode for attaining
the national goal of bringing one third of the area under Forests & trees cover and also for achieving
the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC’s) targets of the country.