Lok Sabha Question No. 190 (STARRED), answered on 2024-08-05
Subject: Promotion of  Afforestation and Reforestation
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Shri Yogender Chandolia

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

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 190

TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.08.2024

## Promotion of afforestation and Reforestation

190*.  SHRI YOGENDER CHANDOLIA:

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

- (a)   whether the Government has set any targets to increase the green cover in the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)   the  steps  taken  by  the  Government to promote afforestation and reforestation efforts  in the country;
- (c)   the  details  of  the  schemes  and  programs  launched  by  the  Government  to  encourage individuals, communities and organizations to plant trees and promote greenery;
- (d)    the  progress  made  so  far  in  achieving  the  targets  set  under  the  National  Forest  Policy, 2018;
- (e)   the  measures  taken  by  the  Government  to  protect  and  preserve  existing  forests  and prevent deforestation and land degradation; and
- (f)   the funds allocated and utilized for afforestation and reforestation efforts in the country during the last three years?

## ANSWER

MINISTER FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI BHUPENDER YADAV)

(a) to (f) : A statement is laid on the table of the House

*****

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARA  (a)  TO  (f)  OF  THE  LOK  SABHA STARRED QUESTION  No. 190 DUE FOR REPLY ON 05.08.2024  REGARDING PROMOTION  OF  AFFORESTATION  AND  REFORESTATION  RAISED  BY  SHRI YOGENDER CHADOLIA, HON'BLE MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT

- (a) As per the National Forest Policy (NFP) 1988, the national goal is to have a minimum of one third of the total land area under forest or tree cover.
- (b) & (c) In  consonance  with  NFP,  1988,  the  Ministry  of  Environment,  Forest  and  Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has been taking several initiatives for promoting forestry in the country. The afforestation and tree plantation activities are undertaken by the States and Union  Territories  under  various  schemes  and  programmes.  The  Ministry  provides financial assistance to States and Union Territories under various Centrally Sponsored Schemes. The details of the schemes launched by the Ministry to encourage individuals, communities and organizations to plant trees and promote greenery are, as under:

National Mission for a Green India (GIM) is one of the eight Missions outlined under the  National  Action  Plan  on  Climate  Change  which  aims  at  protecting,  restoring  and enhancing India's forest cover through Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMCs) in the participating States/UTs.

The Nagar Van Yojana (NVY) is implemented to create forest/green spaces in  urban and  peri-urban  areas  by  developing  Nagar  Van/Vatikas.  The  Nagar  Van/Vatikas  also help in protection  of forest and concerned Government  land  within  cities/towns  or its fringes from degradation and encroachment. The scheme is being implemented through the State/UT Forest Departments and Urban Local Bodies.

The  School  Nursery  Yojana  (SNY)  is  being  implemented  to  enable  students  to understand and appreciate the significance of plants in maintaining and sustaining the natural eco-system.  The  scheme is  implemented in public and private schools recognized by State Boards /Central Government Boards.

The 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 Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980.

In addition the Ministry on various occasions like International Day of Forests, World Environment Day, Van Mahotsav,  Wildlife Week, etc.  promotes  mass  tree  plantation and  disseminates  knowledge  about  tree  plantation  and  conservation  of  forests  among public through various conferences, Workshops, Brochures, Sign boards etc.

- (d) The National Forest Policy (NFP) 1988 envisages that a minimum of one third of the total  land  area  is  to  be  covered  under  forest  or  tree  cover.  As  per  the  India  State  of Forest Report 2021 (ISFR) published by the Forest Survey of India, the forest cover of India during the current assessment shows a net increase of 1540 sq kms and the Tree Cover shows an increase of 721 sq km over the previous assessment of 2019.
- (e) Various acts and regulations of central government such as, the Indian Forest Act, 1927; the  Wild  Life  (Protection)  Act,  1972;  the Van  (Sanrakshan  Evam  Samvardhan). Adhiniyam, 1980; Eco Sensitive Zone Notification, under the Environment (Protection) Act,  1986;  the  Biological  Diversity  Act,  2002;  Coastal  Regulation  Zone  (CRZ)

Notification  2019  and,  other  State/UT  specific  Acts,  help  to  protect  and  preserve existing forests and prevent deforestation and land degradation.

- (f) The  detail  of  funds  allocated  by  the  Ministry  under  various  schemes  and  utilized  for afforestation activities in the country during the last three years is given at Annexure-I.

*****

Annexure referred to in reply of part (f) of the Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 190 regarding Promotion of Afforestation and Reforestation raised by Shri Yogender Chandolia due for reply on 05.08.2024.

Details of funds allocated under various schemes in the last three years.

(Rs. in Crores)

| Scheme                                                                    | 2021-22         | 2021-22        | 2022-23         | 2022-23        | 2023-24         | 2023-24        |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------|----------------|-----------------|----------------|-----------------|----------------|
|                                                                           | Funds allocated | Funds utilized | Funds allocated | Funds utilized | Funds allocated | Funds utilized |
| Green India Mission (GIM)*                                                | 156.46          | 138.79         | 137.29          | 178.79         | 112.28          | 64.12          |
| Nagar Van Yojana (NVY)                                                    | 159.69          | 112.40         | 134.13          | 93.89          | 120.50          | 93.39          |
| School Nursery Yojana (SNY)                                               | 2.24            | 1.56           | 4.39            | 3.07           | -               | -              |
| Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) | 9161.15         | 5896.31        | 8481.34         | 6149.85        | 7293.23         | 5205.12        |
| Eco Development Task Forces Scheme                                        | 110.00          | 110.00         | 80.00           | 80.00          | 64.34           | 64.34          |