FCIK demands exemption for agro-forestry based units from requirement of licenses

The Federation of Chambers of Industries Kashmir (FCIK) has demanded exemption from licenses for several categories of wood-based industrial units including those based on agro and farm forestry in J&K.

The demand came up in a meeting of wood based units held at FCIK office under the chairmanship of President Shahid Kamili.

The members informed the meeting that there were several categories of wood based units which only consumed the timber which was grown by farmers in their private land and had nothing to do with the coniferous and other species of timber grown in forests of J&K.

The meeting was informed that the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change had exempted several categories of wood-based industries including agro-forestry from the requirement of licenses as per a gazette notification of amendment to wood-based industries (Establishment and Regulation) Guidelines, 2016 amended further from time to time.

According to the members, these notifications exempted industries which used round log or timber from species declared as agro-forestry, agriculture crops and several other species of wood from any licenses.

The members said that there were about 5000 units across Kashmir valley engaged in manufacture of fruit boxes made from popular timber grown under agro or farm forestry and all these units do not use any timber derived from J&K’s government forests.

The meeting was informed that these units provided direct employment to more than 50000 employees.

The members alleged that instead of supporting these units, various wings of the forest department in Kashmir valley were involved in their harassment on one or the other pretext of deficiency of formalities connected to issue and renewal of licenses.

“in contrast to the Gazette notifications issued by Ministry of Environment and Forest regarding rules and regulations governing wood based industry, the UT guidelines makes it mandatory to obtain NOC from Pollution Control Board for renewal of licenses who in turn asks for NOC from Fire and Emergency Services” said the members, adding that this and other formalities forced the unit holders to abandon their operations and run from department to department.

The President FCIK acknowledged that the procedure for setting up new units or fulfilling of compliance by existing wood-based units was cumbersome and time consuming and not very encouraging to instill confidence in industries.

He said that wood based industry based on agro forestry had played an important role in J&K’s economy and employment generation.

“Besides, small units manufacturing fruit boxes, the veneer and plywood industry with huge investment and Cricket bat manufacturing units were also based on agro and farm forestry and needed to be liberated from licenses raj” he agreed adding, that there were several other categories of wood based units which required either an exemption from requirement of license or liberal policy and procedures.

President FCIK also sought liberal rules and regulation for wood based units operating within organised industrial estates and clusters.

Shahid Kamili informed the meeting that the FCIK had already solicited a high level formal meeting at the level of Principal Secretary, Forest and Environment where all the issues confronting wood based industry were expected to be deliberated upon for a meaningful resolution.