Lok Sabha Question No. 3588 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-11
Subject: Afforestation Projects in Jalpaiguri
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Dr. Jayanta Kumar Roy

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3588

TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.08.2025

## Afforestation Projects in Jalpaiguri

## 3588. DR. JAYANTA KUMAR ROY:

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

- (a) whether the  Government is planning to  launch any afforestation  or eco-restoration projects in degraded forest zones of Jalpaiguri; and
- (b) whether the Government is monitoring the ecological impact of growing tourism in protected areas of Jalpaiguri and if so, the findings thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)

- (a) The  Ministry  is  undertaking  afforestation  and  reforestation  work  through  ongoing schemes such as the National Mission for a Green India (GIM), Nagar Van Yojana (NVY),  and  the  Mangrove  Initiative  for  Shoreline  Habitat  and  Tangible  Benefits (MISHTI), among others. Afforestation activities are also being carried out through the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA). The Ministry also promotes mass plantation drives on occasions such as International  Day  of  Forests,  World  Environment  Day, Van  Mahotsav ,  Wildlife Week, etc.,  and  raises  awareness  through  campaigns.  The 'Ek  Ped  Maa  Ke  Naam' campaign, launched on 5 th  June 2024, encourages citizens to plant trees in honour of one's  mother.  As  per  the  information  provided  by  the  State  of  West  Bengal, afforestation works over an area of 74.19 ha in degraded forest land has carried out in Jalpaiguri District in the current financial year 2025-26.
- (b) As per the information provided by the State of West Bengal, the ecological impact of growing  tourism  in  the  protected  areas  of  Jalpaiguri  District  is  being  actively monitored by the State. The district hosts three designated protected areas: Gorumara National Park, Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary, and a portion of Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary  that  falls  within  its  boundaries.  Tourism  in  these  areas  is  regulated  in accordance with the carrying capacity determined by the guidelines of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Government of India, and the National  Tiger  Conservation  Authority  (NTCA).  To  reduce  ecological  pressure, tourism  activities  such  as  car  safaris  and  other  eco-tourism  ventures  are  suspended annually from June 15 th  to September 15 th , aligning with the monsoon season to allow for ecological recovery. Furthermore, all protected areas remain closed one day each week  to  minimize  human  interference.  Gorumara  National  Park  experiences  the highest  tourist  footfall,  especially  during  peak  seasons;  however,  visitor  numbers

remain  within  the  permissible  carrying  capacity.  In  contrast,  Chapramari  Wildlife Sanctuary and the portion of Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary located within the district receive considerably fewer visitors, resulting in minimal ecological impact. To ensure further  protection,  Eco-Sensitive  Zones  (ESZs)  have  been  formally  notified  for  all three  protected  areas  through  Gazette  Notifications.  Eco-tourism  activities  within these ESZs are stringently monitored as per the respective guidelines and are overseen by a designated Monitoring Committee.

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