Lok Sabha Question No. 2011 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-12
Subject: Plantation of Native Species of Trees
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Rajkumar Chahar

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTIO N NO. 2011

TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.02.2021

## Plantation of Native Species of Trees

## 2011.  SHRI RAJ KUMAR CHAHAR:

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

- (a) whether  any  region-wise  identification  of  the  species  of  native  trees  and shrubs has been undertaken by the Government to promote such species in the specific area;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  taken  note  of  the  advantages  of  plantation  of native species of trees and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the details of the initiatives taken by the Government to popularise the native species  of  trees  and  promote  their  plantation  in  the  country  including  in  the Taj Trapezium Zone?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI BABUL SUPRIYO)

- (a) and (b) Yes Sir. The region-wise identification of native trees has been done by various agencies including Botanical Survey of India (BSI), an organization under the Ministry  of  Environment,  Forest  and  Climate  Change  (MoEFCC).  BSI develops  seedlings  of  native  species  and  also  distribute  to  various  forest departments  and  to  nearby  village  communities.  Many  research  publication are  also  available  for  identification  of  tree  species  such  as  Trees  of  Gujarat (GEER), Trees of Allahabad (NBRI), Trees of Sikkim (BSI), Trees of Delhi, Trees of Simlipal (Odisha  forest department). Moreover,  there is also provision  under  various  working  plans  of  the  state  forest  departments  for developing and propagating the native species of trees in the natural region.
- (c) Yes Sir, the Ministry has issued advisories to State /UT Governments to plant local and indigenous species during their plantations activities. Further, under National  Afforestation  Programme  (NAP)  implemented  by  the  ministry  for afforestation of degraded forest lands, the tree species to be planted is selected by  members  of  local  community,  on  the  basis  of  their  needs,  ecological conditions  and  other  local  factors  in  consultation  with  the  State  Forest Department.  The  National  Mission  for  a  Green  India  (GIM)  also  permits plantation of mixed indigenous species by the implementing states. Compensatory Afforestation Fund Rules, 2018 also provides for plantation of indigenous species in afforestation activities.
- (d) As per the information received from Forest Department of Uttar Pradesh, the State has issued advisory to take up plantations of native tree species based on soil and agro-climatic zones. An indicative list of native tree species suitable for plantation in various regions including area covered in Taj Trapizium Zone (TTZ) has been also circulated among various departments. It is also informed that  in  the  departmental  plantations  species  like  Neem,  Sheesham,  Khair, Shahjan, Semal, Jamun, Peepal, Ashok, Arjun, Amaltas, Gudhal, Sagaun etc are being planted in TTZ, Agra.

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