Lok Sabha Question No. 519 (STARRED), answered on 2026-03-30
Subject: Contribution of Forests and Forests based Activities to GDP
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Shri Trivendra Singh Rawat

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 519

TO BE ANSWERED ON 30.03.2026

## Contribution of Forests and Forests based Activities to GDP

*519. SHRI TRIVENDRA SINGH RAWAT:

Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government maintains data or has conducted assessment to determine the current contribution of forests and forest-produce-based activities to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government proposes to set up a specific target regarding the contribution of forests and forest produce to the GDP in order to enhance the income and employment opportunities through the said means and if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether  any  special  scheme  has  been  formulated  to  increase  the  income  and  employment opportunities for local communities of the States alongside forest conservation and having more than 60 per cent of the area under forest cover; and
- (d) if so, the key provisions and the framework for the implementation thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI BHUPENDER YADAV)

- (a) to (d): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (A) TO (D) IN RESPECT OF LOK SABHA  STARRED  QUESTION  NO.  519  FOR  REPLY  ON  30.03.2026  REGARDING 'CONTRIBUTION OF FORESTS AND FORESTS BASED ACTIVITIES TO GDP' ASKED BY SHRI TRIVENDRA SINGH RAWAT:

- (a) As  per  the  information  compiled  by  the  Ministry  of  Statistics  and  Programme Implementation, the contribution of 'Forestry and logging' to the Gross Value Added (GVA) for the year 2024-25 is 1.4 per cent.
- (b) to (d) The National Forest Policy, 1988 aims to ensure environment stability and maintenance of ecological balance, increasing the productivity of forests, meeting the requirements of  fuelwood,  fodder,  minor  forest  produce  and  small  timber  of  the  rural  and  tribal population, as well as to provide gainful employment to people living in and around the forest.

Further, the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 is being implemented which recognizes the rights of the forest dwelling tribal communities and other traditional forest dwellers to forest resources, on which these communities were dependent for a variety of needs, including livelihood, habitation and other socio-cultural needs.

Accordingly, the Government is implementing several schemes like National Mission for a Green India (Green India Mission), MISHTI (Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats  &  Tangible  Incomes),  Nagar  Van  Yojana,  School  Nursery  Yojna,  and Compensatory Afforestation Fund, for sustainable management of forest resources and to enhance the livelihood opportunities for local communities.

Under  various  afforestation  and  wildlife  conservation  programmes,  Joint  Forest Management  Committees  (JFMCs)  and  Eco  Development  Committees  (EDCs)  are constituted at the village levels, which enables community participation in sustainable forest management and wildlife conservation, while addressing the livelihood needs of local communities.

Further,  states,  such  as  Chhattisgarh  and  Madhya  Pradesh,  have  established  forest cooperative federations, namely the Chhattisgarh State Minor Forest Produce (Trading and Development) Co-operative Federation and the Madhya Pradesh State Minor Forest Produce  (Trade  and  Development)  Co-operative  Federation,  to  enhance  livelihood opportunities for communities residing in forest areas.