Forest Policy, other instruments and NLBI Rekha Pai (IGF) MoEF

Evolution of NLBI UNCED 1992 IPF/IFF ( ) UNFF – Established in 2000 with the main objective to promote management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests and to strengthen the long term political commitment to this end – Universal Membership

Adopted at 7 th session ( ) by UNFF Adopted on by UN GA NLBI draws heavily on the Forest Principles, Agenda 21, Rio declaration, Proposal for action of IPF/IFF and Johannesburg declaration on sustainable development Applicable for all Forest types, voluntary and non-legally binding Evolution of NLBI (cont’d)

States have sovereign right over natural resources Recognise the need for enhanced international cooperation including financial support, technology transfer and capacity building The basic postulate of NLBI is to contribute to management conservation, sustainable development of forest and to provide for their multiple and complimentary functions and uses Evolution of NLBI (cont’d)

India’s Position Strong policy and legal frame work Constitutional provisions – 42 nd Amendment Act of 1976: 48-A and 51-A(G) Forest Policy – 1988 Environment Policy 2006

Forest Policy-1988 Adopted 4 years prior to Earth Summit The principal aim of the Forest Policy is to ensure environment stability and maintenance of ecological balance including atmospheric equilibrium which are vital for sustenance of all life forms, human animal and plant. The derivation of direct economic benefit must be subordinated to this principal aim. The elements of the forest policy are in line with NLBI and Forest Principles – Forest to be managed to meet the social economic ecological, cultural spiritual needs of present and future generation – Promote and provide opportunities for the participation of interested parties including local communities NGOs Industries, forest dwellers and women, – Increase effort for development and strengthening of institutions

– Recognise and duly support the identity, culture and rights of indigenous people, other communities and forests dwellers – Full participation of women – Potential contribution of plantations of both indigenous and introduced spices for fuel and industrial goods to be recognised – Efforts to maintain and increase forest cover and forest productivity in ecologically, economically and socially sound ways through rehabilitation, reforestation and re-establishment of trees and forests on unproductive, degraded and deforested lands Forest Policy-1988 (cont’d)

– Take into account processes and demands imposed on ecosystem and resources from influencing factors outside the forestry sector – Scientific research and forest inventories carried out by National Institutions to be strengthened – Capabilities in education, training, science & technology, economics and social aspects of forests and forest management to be strengthened Forest Policy-1988 (cont’d)

– The main elements include area under forests, protection of existing forests, afforestation, social forestry, farm forestry, rights and concessions, forestry education research, personnel management and financial support. – The elements not articulated in policy are monitoring and evaluation, value chain concept and international cooperation. Forest Policy-1988 (cont’d)

Environment Policy-2006 The Policy recognises the need for balance and harmony between economic, social and environmental needs of the country The dominant theme of the policy is that while conservation of Environmental resources is necessary to secure livelihood and wellbeing of all, the most secure basis for conservation is to ensure that people dependant on particular resources obtain better livelihoods from the fact of the conservation than from degradation of the source

Three foundational aspirations – Human beings should be able to enjoy a decent quality of life – Humanity should become capable of respecting the finiteness of the biosphere – Neither the aspiration for good life nor the recognition of the biophysical limits should preclude the search for greater justice in world Environment Policy-2006 (cont’d)

Policy seeks to stimulate the partnership of different stake holder i.e. public agencies, local communities, academic and scientific institutions, investment communities and international development partners in harnessing their respective resources and strengths for environment management Environment Policy-2006 (cont’d)

Forests in the Indian context There are approximately forest fringe villages Around 280 million people live in and around forest and are dependant on the forests energy, food, water and economic security Forest are integral to the adaptation and mitigation strategies in the context of Climate Change

Management Strategy Forest Policy adopts a people centric approach Joint Forest Management (JFM) approach based on philosophy of care and share. Panchayati Raj Act (73 rd amendment) Recognition of Forests Rights Act Village bodies i.e. Gram Sabha / Gram Panchayat to play a bigger role in future programs ( GIM, MNREGA)

Current Scenario Stabilized forest cover; however, quality continues to be an area of concern Weak monitoring and reporting systems – FSI – Restricted to forest cover only – Need to enhance the scope to cover all the 7 thematic areas of SFM Capacity of various agencies Convergence and linkages with other related agencies Inadequate means of implementation – Financial resources – Technology – Capacity

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