The Indian government has issued a circular allowing private entities to undertake afforestation and plantations on forest land without paying the Net Present Value (NPV) or undertaking compensatory afforestation. This decision has been met with criticism from environmentalists and experts, who argue that it blurs the line between ecological protection and commercial activity, and opens up forests to biodiversity-threatening monocultures.
The circular states that assisted natural regeneration, including afforestation and plantation, carried out by state governments and union territories in association with private and non-government entities on a revenue-sharing basis, will be treated as forestry activities. The requirements of compensatory afforestation and payment of NPV will not apply to such activities.
Critics argue that the decision will enable private entities to exploit forest land for commercial gain, while undermining the rights of forest-dependent communities and threatening biodiversity. They point out that the distinction between afforestation and plantations has been diluted, and that the latter is a commercial activity that can harm the environment.
The ministry has justified the decision as an effort to align with the evolving framework for restoration of forest land and utilization of silviculturally available sustainable harvest from forests. However, experts argue that the term “restoration” has been used as a rhetorical cover for enabling private sector access to forest land while weakening regulatory protections.
The decision has also been criticized for its potential impact on forest-dependent communities, who may be excluded from accessing traditional lands and collecting minor produce. The policy decision has been described as a form of “land grab” that enables private enclosures for profit while being counted as an increase in forest cover.
The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India has also raised concerns about the misuse of compensatory afforestation funds by state governments. The CAG has found instances of funds being diverted for non-permissible activities, such as the purchase of vehicles and construction of buildings.
Experts argue that the decision to involve non-government entities in afforestation activities on government-owned forest lands is not necessary, and that the forest departments can easily carry out afforestation and plantation activities on non-forest lands. They also point out that the term “degraded forest land” is often misused to justify the diversion of forest land for non-forest purposes.
The India State of the Forests Report 2023 puts the total forest cover at 21.76% of the country’s geographical area, and the government has set a goal of increasing forest cover to 33%. However, critics argue that this goal can be achieved through community participation and sustainable forest management practices, rather than through the involvement of private entities.
Overall, the decision to allow private entities to undertake afforestation and plantations on forest land without paying NPV or undertaking compensatory afforestation has been widely criticized for its potential impact on the environment, forest-dependent communities, and biodiversity. Experts argue that the decision undermines the principles of sustainable forest management and threatens the long-term health of India’s forests.