Lok Sabha Question No. 1134 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-02
Subject: Afforestation Programme
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Shri Mansukhbhai Dhanjibhai Vasava

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1134 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.12.2024

## Afforestation Programme

## 1134.   SHRI MANSUKHBHAI  DHANJIBHAI  VASAVA:

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

- (a) the present status of afforestation in the country;
- (b) whether the Government proposes to give financial incentives to certain agencies which will take part in such projects;
- (c) if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the action plan formulated by the Government to control unrestricted exploitation of natural resources in the country ?

## ANSWER

MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND CLIMATE CHANGE

(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)

(a) to (d) The Ministry has taken up several initiatives for afforestation in the country and the present  status  of  the  schemes  through  which  funds  are  provided  for  afforestation  to  the States/UTs are as below -

- (i) National Mission for a Green India (GIM) is aimed at protecting, restoring and  enhancing  India's  forest  cover  through  Joint  Forest  Management Committees (JFMCs) in the participating States/UTs, under which a sum of Rs. 944.48 crores have been released to 17 States and 1 Union Territory for creation of plantations/eco-restoration.
- (ii) The Nagar Van Yojana (NVY) to create forest/green spaces  in urban and peri-urban areas is implemented  through  the State/UT Forest Departments and Urban Local Bodies and Ministry has sanctioned a total of 546 projects in 31 States/ UTs and released Rs. 431.77 crore.
- (iii) The  School  Nursery  Yojana  (SNY)  which  involves  students  in  seedling nursery  creation  and  planting  is  implemented  in  recognized  public  and private  schools.  A  total  of  743  projects  in  19  Sates/UTs  have  been sanctioned with an outlay of         Rs. 4.80 crore.
- (iv) The  'Mangrove  Initiative  for  Shoreline  Habitats  &  Tangible  Incomes' (MISHTI) scheme has been launched to restore and promote mangroves as unique, natural eco-systems and for preserving and enhancing the sustainability  of  the  coastal  habitats.  A  total  of  Rs.  17.96  crores  has  been released  to  the  States  of  Andhra  Pradesh,  Gujarat,  Kerala,  Odisha,  West Bengal and UT of  Puducherry.
- (v) The Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign was  launched  on  5 th June,  2024  to promote voluntary planting of trees as a mark of love, respect and honour for mothers  and  planting  of  more  than  1  billion  seedlings  has  been  achieved under this initiative.

Besides,  funds  under  Compensatory  Afforestation  Fund  Management  and Planning Authority (CAMPA) are utilized for afforestation and related activities as per the provision of the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam , 1980 and the Rules made thereunder.

The Ministry, on occasions like International Day of Forests, World Environment Day, Van Mahotsav , Wildlife Week, etc.  promotes participation and involvement  of public and related agencies in mass tree plantation programmes on a voluntary basis.

The  unrestricted  exploitation  of  natural  resources  in  the  country  is  being controlled through enforcement of the relevant Acts/Rules/regulations.