Basic Objectives of The National Forest Policy, 1988

The basic objectives that should govern the National Forest Policy, 1988 are the following :-

1) Maintenance of environmental stability through preservation and, where necessary, restoration of the ecological balance that has been adversely distributed by serious depletion of the forests of the country.
2) Conserving the natural heritage of the country by preserving the remaining natural forests with the vast variety of flora and fauna, which represent the remarkable biological diversity and genetic resources of the country.
3) Checking soil erosion and denudation in the catchment areas of rivers, lakes, reservoirs in the interest of soil and water conservation, for mitigating floods and droughts and for the retardation of siltation of reservoirs.
4) Checking the extension of sand-dunes in the desert areas of Rajasthan and along the coastal tracts.
5) Increasing substantially the forest/tree cover in the country through massive afforestation and social forestry programmes, especially on all denuded and unproductive lands.
6) Meeting the requirements of fuel wood, fodder minor forest produce and small timber of the rural and tribal populations.
7) Increasing the productivity of forests to meet essential national needs.
8) Encouraging efficient utilisation of forest-produce and maximising substitution of wood.
9) Creating a massive people's movement with the involvement of woman, for achieving these objectives and to minimise pressure on existing forests.

The principal aim of forest policy must be to ensure environmental stability and maintenance of ecological balance including atmospheric equilibrium which are vital for sustenance of all lifeforms, human, animal and plant. The derivation of direct economic benefit must be subordinated to this principal aim.