Question : Development of Green Belt

(a) whether the Government proposes to undertake a massive reforestation exercise to develop a Green Belt in different parts of the country including the North West region;
(b) if so, details thereof and timelines for the same?
(c) Whether the Government has conducted a cost benefit assessment study for this project;
(d) if so, details of the key findings of the study; and
(e) whether the proposed Green belt is likely to be covered under the “Protected” forests category and if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)

(a)to (e):The Government undertakes afforestation and plantation activities in different parts of the country including the north-west region through various schemes/programmes which inter-alia include National Afforestation Programme, Sub-Mission on Agro-Forestry (SMAF), Restructured National Bamboo Mission, Green Highways (Plantation & Maintenance) Policy 2015.

Also, under Green India Mission, one of the ongoing eight missions outlined under the National Action Plan on Climate Change, the Government undertakes plantation activities in forest and non-forest areas aimed at protecting, restoring and enhancing India’s forest cover and responding to climate change.

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