Question : Increase in Forest Cover

(a) whether the Government has undertaken a massive plantation drive across the country to increase green cover;
(b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise along with the target fixed for plantation of trees by the year 2019;
(c) whether there has been an increase in the green cover in the country due to plantation drive during the last three years and if so, the State/UT-wise details thereof;
(d) whether the Government has sought assistance of social service organisations in this regard and if so, the details thereof;
(e) whether the Government has taken steps to protect the planted saplings from drying up and if so, the details thereof along with funds earmarked for the purpose and directions issued to concerned authorities in this regard; and
(f) the other steps taken by the Government to promote forest based economy in the country?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

(a)& (b) At present the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has taken up plantation activities to increase green cover under the Green India Mission (GIM) and National Afforestation Programme (NAP) schemes. GIM activities were started in the financial year 2015-16 and so far fund amounting to Rs. 157.64 Cr. have been released under GIM to nine States for carrying out GIM activities. An expenditure of Rs. 3698.63 Cr has been incurred to treat an area of 21.38 lakh hectares since inception of the NAP scheme till Financial Year 2017-18. The targets for plantation of trees for year 2019 will be based on fund availability.

(c) The Forest and tree cover of the country, as per the Indian State of Forest Report (ISFR), 2017 is 802088 sq.km which is 24.40 per cent of the geographical area of the country. There is an increase of 8021 sq. km in the forest and tree cover of the country as compared to 2015 assessment report. The State/UT-wise details are annexed (Annexure-I).

(d) The Ministry is releasing the funds to the State Governments for implementation of schemes. The States may engage the social service organisations as per their requirements for implementation of schemes.

(e) & (f) The Ministry is releasing the funds to the State Governments for implementation of schemes which includes maintenance and protection of already completed plantation works. The different schemes of the Ministry have the provision for providing services like fuel, fodder, and timber and non-timber forest produces (NTFPs) to promote forest based economy.
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