Lok Sabha Question No. 2029 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-21
Subject: Plantation of Neem Tree
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: PANKAJ CHOWDHARY

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTIO N NO.  2029

TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.12.2018

## Plantation of Neem Tree

## 2029. SHRI PANKAJ CHAUDHARY:

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

- (a) whether the Government has formulated any scheme regarding plantation of neem tree which is important from both environment and health point of view;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor;
- (d) whether the Government proposes to augment the plantation of neem trees; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND CLIMATE CHANGE (DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

(a) to (e): The  National  Afforestation  Programme  (NAP)  of  MoEF&CC    has  the provision for inclusion  of Neem under the plantation models 'Mixed plantation of trees having  MFP  and  Medicinal  Value  and  Regeneration  of  perennial  herbs  and  Shrubs  of Medicinal Value'. In order to give thrust on plantation of medicinal plants on degraded forest  lands  and  contiguous  areas,  in  addition  to  other  species  of  local  ecological  and economic importance in the afforestation activities of the MoEF&CC, it was decided for inclusion  of  bamboo  and  medicinal  plants  including  neem  in  the  afforestation  activities being undertaken under NAP.  This is intended to contribute towards poverty alleviation and also to ensure livelihood security of forest  fringe dwellers besides ameliorating soil conditions and improving/increasing forest cover.

Apart from NAP the National Mission for a Green India (GIM) of MoEF&CC also permits plantation of mixed indigenous species by the implementing states.

Besides, as per the information received from National Medicinal Plant Board (NMPB), Ministry  of  AYUSH,  NMPB  presently,  is  implementing  a 'Central  Sector  Scheme  on Conservation, Development and Sustainable Management of Medicinal Plants ' throughout the country. Under the scheme project based support is provided for in-situ / exsitu conservation  and  resource  augmentation  of  various  species  of  medicinal  plants including the 'Neem Tree ( Azadirachta indica )'.

In  addition,  NMPB, Ministry  of  AYUSH  is  also  implementing  a  Centrally  Sponsored Scheme  of  National  AYUSH  Mission  (NAM)  under  which  there  is  a  component  on 'Medicinal Plants' which primarily aimed at supporting cultivation of medicinal plants on farmer's  land  with  backward  linkages  through  establishment  of  nurseries  for  supply  of quality  planting  material  and  forward  linkages  for  post-harvest  management  throughout the country.  Under the scheme presently, Ministry of AYUSH has prioritized 140 species of  medicinal  plants  for  cultivation  and  in  this  regard  financial  assistance  as  subsidy  is provided @ 30%, 50% and 75% of the cost of cultivation. The prioritized list under this scheme also covers 'Neem Tree' for which financial assistance as subsidy is provided @ 30%.

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