India, July 31 -- Active involvement of communities and local stakeholders in the management and restoration of forest resources has led to a positive trend of the increase in forest and tree cover over the past decade, minister of state for environment Kirti Vardhan Singh told Rajya Sabha on Thursday, citing the India State of Forest Report 2023.

Singh said the National Forest Policy, 1988, emphasises the importance of closely associating the tribal communities in the protection, regeneration, and development of forests. He said the policy seeks to provide gainful employment to people living in and around the forests, while safeguarding their customary rights and interests.

Singh said the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest D...