Achieving India’s goal of 33 per cent tree cover will require significant areas of non-forest land to be planted with trees.

An article in the Deccan Herald says a new report by the environment ministry has investigated current regulations relating to tree felling and tree species on private land. It outlines how a shortage of land on which to grow trees exists due to competition for agriculture, industrial and infrastructure development and urbanisation.

To increase tree cover on private land, the report says agroforestry, which currently comes under the ministry of agriculture, should be vested with the environment ministry and policies developed to ensure ‘continuous growth of this important sector’.

The current tree cover in India has stabilised at 23 per cent, however the National Forest Policy 1988 sets a goal of 33 per cent of forest and tree cover in order to achieve ecological security and environmental balance.

Read the full story: More land should come under green cover, says report