Lok Sabha Question No. 2435 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-18
Subject: Social Forestry Scheme
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Janardan Singh Sigriwal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIAMTE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2435

TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.12.2023

## Social Forestry Scheme

## 2435.  SHRI JANARDAN SINGH SIGRIWAL:

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

- (a)   whether the Government has taken note that the green belt areas and number of trees in small towns are very less and if so, the reasons therefor;
- (b)   whether the Government has any scheme to promote plantation in the small cities of the country through Non-Governmental Organisations under Social Forestry Schemes with in co-ordination State Governments;
- (c) if so, the details and salient features thereof; and
- (d)   the details of various initiatives taken  by  the  Government  for  conservation  and development of forest and green areas in various small cities in the country?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)

- (a) Forest  survey  of  India  assess  forest  and  tree  cover  of  the  country  biennially  and publish a report called Indian State of Forest Report. As per Indian State of Forest Report 2021, the total forest cover of the country has been estimated 7,13,789 sq. km. which has increased by 1,540 sq. km. as compared to the previous assessment of 2019. In addition, the total tree cover of the country has been estimated 95,748 sq. km. and there is an increase of 721 sq. km. in the extent of tree cover as compared to the previous assessment of 2019.
- (b) to (d) National Forest Policy 1988 aims for 33% of the geographical area of country under forest  or  tree  cover.  To  increase  the  forest  cover  in  the  country,  afforestation programmes  are  taken  up  under  various  Centrally  Sponsored  Schemes  of  the Ministry such as National Mission for a Green India, Nagar Van Yojana and School Nursery Yojana, etc.

Afforestation activities are also taken up under various programmes/funding sources such as Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme,

Compensatory Afforestation Funds under Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) are utilized for compensating the loss of forest and ecosystem services due to diversion of forest land for non-forestry purposes as per the provision of the Forest (Conservation) Act 1980.

Nagar  Van  Yojana  envisages  creating  1000   Nagar  Van  /  Nagar  Vatika  in  Cities having Municipal Corporation/Municipal council/Municipality/Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) for providing wholesome healthy living environment for the residents and thus  contributing  to  growth  of  clean,  green,  healthy  and  sustainable  cities.  Nagar Van is supported by CAMPA fund. The salient features of Nagar Van Yojana are:

-  Creating green space and aesthetic environment in an urban set up.
-  Creating awareness about plants and biodiversity and developing environment stewardship.
-  Facilitating in-situ conservation of important flora of the region.
-  Contributing to environmental improvement of cities by pollution mitigation, providing cleaner air, noise reduction, water harvesting and reduction of heat islands effect.
-  Extending health benefits to residents of the city and
-  Helping cities become climate resilient.

The  Ministry  is  implementing  National  Mission  for  a  Green  India  (GIM),  under which, there is a specific sub-mission for enhancing tree cover in urban and periurban areas.

For  preservation  and  protection  of  forest  and  wildlife,  various  laws  including  the Forest (Conservation) Act 1980 ( Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam ), Indian Forest Act, 1927, Wildlife Protection Act 1972, and other central/state laws as  applicable  to  a  State/UT,  are  implemented  by  the  respective  State  Government /UT Administration.

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