Beyond Forest Boundaries: Significant Role of Trees outside forest

With the implementation of National Forest Policy-1988, forest management in India while ensuring conservation of Recorded Forest Areas (RFAs) to secure the country’s ecological security, has shifted its focus towardsgreening areas outside forests.

Consequently, timber production from government-managed forests has steadily declined-from 100lakh cubic meters in the 1970s to 40 lakh m³ in the 1990s, 31.8 lakh m³ in 2017, 17.5 lakh m³ in 2019, and 15.6 lakh m³ in 2020 (Dhiman, 2025). In this changing context, the significance of Trees Outside Forests (TOF) has grown manifold.

TOF is found in diverse formations in the rural and urban landscapes in the country like small woodlots, block plantations, strip plantations along roads, canals, bunds, etc., and scattered trees on farmlands, homesteads, community lands and in urban areas.

TOF plays a significant role in the livelihood of people of the country both economically and ecologically. They make critical contributions to sustainable agriculture, food security and diversification of household economies. They supplement the benefits of forests by providing provisioning, regulating, supporting and cultural and religious services to the local communities. They are an important source of carbon sequestration and major source of wood for wood-based industries.

Area under Trees Outside Forests

Forest Survey of India (FSI) has broadly divided TOF into two categories, TOF (Rural) and TOF (Urban). The block plantations of one ha and above are mapped under forest cover with the help of satellite imageries, while block plantations of less than one ha and scattered trees are assessed through sampling techniques and counted under tree cover. Hence, the extent of TOF therefore may be estimated as the sum of extent of forest cover outside the RFAs and tree cover. Agroforestry is one of the major components of TOF.

According to the India State of Forest Report (ISFR) -2023, the total extent of area under TOF in India is estimated at 307 lakh hectares (9.3%), of which 128 lakh hectares are under agroforestry- constituting about 42% of the TOF and 3.9% of the geographical area of the country (FSI, 2023). As shown in Table-1, the Southern, Northern and Eastern regions lead in extent of area of TOF across India, out of which the Northern and Southern regions also lead in area under agroforestry, but the productivity of commercial tree crops is quite high in Northern region due to alluvial soils as compared to the Southern region.

According to ISFR-2023, between 2013 and 2023, the area under TOF in India increased by 37 lakh hectares-a 14% rise-while agroforestry alone expanded by 21 lakh hectares, marking a 20% increase.  The overall increase in TOF area has been significantly contributed by Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Odisha. In Gujarat, the major decline of -1.2 lakh ha in TOF area during this period, is a matter of concern.

Potential Production of Industrial Wood

ISFRs have been consistently reporting the potential industrial wood production from TOF in its biennial assessments. These reports show a steady upward trend-from 690 lakh m³ in 2011 to 915 lakh m³ per year in 2023. This marks an increase of 225 lakh m³ (30%)  and accounts for approximately 85% of India’s industrial wood demand (Sapra, 2025a).

The regional contribution to industrial wood production from TOF.

The highest industrial wood production is recorded in theNorthern region (256 lakh m³), attributed to high soil fertility, progressive farming practices, and widespread adoption of clonal forestry. Conversely, theNorth-eastern region reports the lowest production (52 lakh m³), mainly due to shifting cultivation practices. Interestingly, the Western and Southern regions show comparable wood production levels despite the Southern region having a significantly larger TOF area as compared to the former region.

This disparity may be explained by this region’s focus on tree conservation, a higher proportion of urbanized areas, prevalence of longer rotation crops, harsher climatic conditions, and relatively lower soil fertility.

The Eastern and Northern regions have comparable area under TOF, but the wood production in the Eastern region is almost half of the wood production in the Northern region, which indicates that the Eastern region has a lot of potential in increasing its wood production through promoting cultivation of commercial tree crops. According to ISFR-2023, the top three states in terms of industrial wood production from TOF are Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and MadhyaPradesh.

Agroforestry is primarily practiced for commercial purposes and thus constitutes the major source of industrial wood. However, due to small landholding sizes, most farmers grow only small-diameter timber. Consequently, mediumand large-diameter timber is often imported to meet domestic requirements. India remains a net importer of wood and wood-based products, with imports valued at Rs 77,169 crore (1.5% of total imports) in 2022-23 (Dhiman, 2025).

Actions Taken by Govt 

• To promote TOF, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), along with various State Forest Departments (SFD), has undertaken several initiatives and implemented several programmes:
• In response to deteriorating air quality, the MoEFCC Ministry launched the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) in 2019, targeting 102 non-attainment cities.
• State Forest Departments have implemented various plantation schemes on panchayat/ community lands, farmlands, and sacred groves across the country.
• Wood-based industries have also contributed by promoting commercial tree crops to meet their raw material needs.

Developed India@2047

• To realize the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047, an accelerated pace of development is essential.
• A key component of this vision involves doubling wood production (2,000 lakh m³) by enhancing the productivity of commercial tree crops and expanding the area under TOF.
• This will support the growth of wood-based industries and help meet the country’s increasing demand for timber and wood products.

Recommendations

1. Forest Survey of India, Dehradun

• The ISFR Volume I should be split into two distinct parts: one for RFAsand another for TOF areas.
• TOF achievements should be reported separately as TOF (Rural) and TOF (Urban).
• The reliable estimation of industrial wood production from TOF should be reported, which may be used to support licensing of wood-based industries.
• ISFR should include dedicated chapters on agroforestry and urban forestry.
• Tree cover data should be reported at the district level to help identify districts lacking adequate forest and tree cover.
• The analysis of urban green cover in ISFR should be expanded to include the 102 non-attainment cities identified under the National Clean Air Programme (Sapra, 2025b).

2. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change

• The current initiative of “Har Med Par Ped” should be scaled up significantly to double the production of industrial wood and increase NTFP output.
• A dedicated programme for “Greening the Cities” should be launched to enhance urban green cover. This initiative could integrate existing campaigns such as “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” to maximize its impact (Sapra, 2025b).

3. State Governments

• Identify potential districts for the cultivation of commercial tree crops, supporting the development of wood-based industries.
• Include tree-resource-deficient districts under the Aspirational Districts Programme to prioritize development and greening.
• Promote the development and value-addition of multipurpose trees to enhance NTFP production and generate rural employment.
• Launch a special conservation scheme for naturally occurring tree species such as Jand, etc.
• Encourage resource convergence among Urban Local Bodies, Town and Country Planning Departments, and Forest Departments for greening of urban areas. The Forest Department, owing to its technical expertise, should be designated as the lead agency for implementation (Sapra, 2025b).
• Urban green space regulations should be modeled on the best practices followed in cities like Delhi and Chandigarh (Sapra, 2025b).

Conclusion

• Green spaces are critical to the ecological and socio-economic sustainability of both rural and urban areas.
• In rural regions, they meet local needs, boost farmers’ income, and create employment opportunities. In urban contexts, they provide climate resilience, enhance aesthetic value, and help mitigate heat island effects.
• Green spaces also serve as carbon sinks, contributing to environmental health and community well-being.
• A focused, integrated, and sustained commitment to urban and rural greening is essential for mitigating air pollution, adapting to climate change, and ensuring livable environments.
• By leveraging the potential of TOF and enhancing NTFP value chains, India can make significant strides toward a Viksit Bharat@2047.

Beyond their economic contributions, TOF resources are vital in confronting global ecological challenges and strengthening climate resilience.

References 

1. Dhiman, R. C., 2025: Pramaan to Parinaam, The Ply Reporter, August 2025
2. FSI, 2000: Trees Outside Forest Resources in India, Forest Survey of India, Dehradun
3. FSI, 2013: India State of Forest Report, 2013, Forest Survey of India, Dehradun
4. FSI, 2023: India State of Forest Report, 2023. Forest Survey of India, Dehradun
5. Sapra, 2025a: Trends and Dynamics of Agroforestry in India, Van Premi, August 2025, Hyderabad
6. Sapra, 2025b: India’s Urban Green Cover: An Urgent Need for Expansion and Monitoring, Van Premi, September 2025, Hyderabad.

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