Lok Sabha Question No. 2330 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-08-04
Subject: Urban Forestry Scheme
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: ANANDRAO  ADSUL, Shrirang Appa Barne, SHIVAJI ADHALRAO PATIL, DHARMENDRA YADAV

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

**LOK SABHA**

**UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2330**

TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.08.2015

**Urban Forestry Scheme**

2330.	 SHRI ANANDRAO ADSUL:

SHRI ADHALRAO PATIL SHIVAJIRAO:

SHRI SHRIRANG APPA BARNE:

SHRI DHARMENDRA YADAV

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

1. whether the Government proposes to launch an urban forestry scheme involving afforesting degraded forest lands in and around 200 cities;
2. if so, the details of the action plan prepared in this regard;
3. whether the Government had decided to create small nurseries in Government schools where there is some extra space;
4. if so, the details thereof;
5. whether the Government proposes to introduce “smriti van” service wherein any resident can plant a sapling in memory of his or her loved one by paying Rs. 2000 to the State Forest Department;
6. if so, whether the State Governments have agreed to the aforesaid proposal; and
7. if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

**ANSWER**

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST

(SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)

| (a) &(b)   | The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has proposed an urban forestry scheme namely “Nagar Van-Udyan Yojana” on pilot basis. The aim is to develop at least one City Forest, initially on forest land, ranging from 20 hectare to 100 hectare, in cities having Municipal Corporation. The Ministry will provide one time financial support for development of these City Forests. The scheme aims to create 200 City Forests in the country in next five (5) years.                                                                                                                                                    |
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| (c) & (d)  | The School Nursery Yojana is proposed on pilot basis for five (5) years. Under this scheme, it is proposed to create small nurseries in schools involving students from class six to class nine. The main objective is to create awareness about environment and help the students identify and learn about various benefits of trees and plants. Under this scheme, 1,000 schools of the country will be selected every year and each school will raise at least 1,000 saplings by involving students. Selected schools will receive a grant of Rs. 25,000/= in the first year and Rs. 10,000/= per year for the subsequent two years. |
| (e) to (g) | There is no such proposal in the Ministry to introduce “Smriti Van” at present.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |

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