Investor Presentaiton
Punjab Forest Policy, 2019
brought if causes of deforestation and forest degradation are overcome. In
consonance with the deliberations of the United Nations Intergovernmental Forum
on Forests in 2000, the underlying causes of deforestation and forest degradation
in the province are interrelated and are often socio-economic in nature that include:
poverty; lack of secure land tenure patterns; inadequate recognition within national
laws; inadequate cross-sectoral policies; under valuation of forest products and
ecosystem services; lack of participation; absence of a supportive economic climate
that facilitates sustainable forest management; illegal trade; limited alternate
sources of energy; lack of capacity within Forest Department; policies that
encourage the conversion of forest land to other uses.
In a major policy shift The Punjab Forest Policy 2019 emphasizes on avoiding
and discouraging commercial exploitation of forest resource on state forestland and
enhancing intangible benefits like environmental / ecological, socio-cultural and
regulatory functions. It prefers increasing and conserving such resources as
biological reserve and ecological assets for providing eco-system services. The
forest resource on farmlands continue to be utilized for meeting the local
requirements. The policy has been made flexible to cater for the needs and
consequences of emerging issues such as Climate Change, international obligations
and other cross sectoral requirements. The element of regular and sustainable flow
of financial resources to implement the policy directions has been emphasized
because forestry is essentially a long term activity. An enabling environment for
providing scientific basis for increasing forest cover has been provided by
supporting forestry research & extension, and consistent capacity building of
available human resource through in-service training.
4.1
THE FOREST POLICY, 2019
Goal
Develop, maintain and maximize forest resources in a scientific,
environmentally sustainable, ecologically stable, economically viable and socially
acceptable manner.
4.2 Objectives
are:
The basic objectives that should govern the Punjab Forest Policy
I.
II.
III.
IV.
Preserve, conserve, develop and enhance existing forest resource and
tree cover in the Province in line with the National Forest Policy.
Improve tree cover on private and farm lands through agroforestry
practices supported by an independent extension service within the
Department.
Promote Public Private Partnership to encourage investment
opportunities in forestry sector, in addition to sponsorship for
afforestation through Corporate Social Responsibility.
Strengthen & diversify the forest research activities to support
planning process, integrating the enhancement of in-service training
to meet emerging challenges of forestry sector.
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