India to adopt ‘One Nation-One Pass' for transit of forest produce

Currently, the transit permits are issued for transport of timber and forest produce based on state specific transit rules. The National Transit Pass System is envisioned as a "One Nation-One Pass" regime, which will enable seamless transit across the country. This initiative will streamline the issuance of timber transit permits by providing a unified, online mode for tree growers and farmers involved in agroforestry across the country, contributing to the ease of doing business.

Bhupendra Yadav, Union Cabinet Minister of Labour and Employment, Environment, Forest and Climate Change in the Government of India said “Launched the National Transit Pass System which will facilitate seamless pan-India movement of timber and other forest produce. NTPS will help strengthen the journey towards greater transparency, which is PM Modi Ji’s guarantee for India’s development. The system will also serve as a bridge between the rural and urban economy. I congratulate the forest frontline officers and workers whose dedication has made this reformatory step possible.”

To create awareness of using NTPS, special Pan Indian vehicles carrying forest produce were flagged-off. Two vehicles carrying timber and other forest produce from Gujarat and Jammu & Kashmir were flagged-off which are bound for West Bengal and Tamil Nadu.

The QR coded transit permits generated under NTPS will allow check gates across various states to verify the validity of the permits and allow seamless transit.

NTPS is designed for user convenience, featuring desktop and mobile applications for easy registration and permit applications. Transit permits will be issued for tree species which are regulated, while the users can self-generate No Objection Certificates (NOC) for exempted species. 

Presently, 25 States and Union Territories have embraced the unified permit system, streamlining interstate business operations for producers, farmers, and transporters. This move is expected to provide a significant impetus to the agroforestry sector. 

To access NTPS click here