(a) whether the Government has introduced different projects for environmental conservation and plantation in all the States/UTs including Rajasthan;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the amount of funds utilised by the Government on the execution of these projects in each State;
(c) whether the Government has received proposals to provide financial assistance to the States for the execution of those projects;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the reaction of the Government thereto?
MINISTER FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(DR. HARSH VARDHAN)
(a)& (b) The Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) is implementing two major afforestation schemes in the country for environmental conservation and plantation i.e. National Afforestation Programme (NAP) scheme and National Mission for a Green India (GIM). While NAP is being implemented for afforestation of degraded forest lands, GIM aims at improving the quality of forest/increase in forest cover besides cross sectoral activities on landscape basis. Since inception of NAP in 2000-01, an amount of Rs. 3698.63 crores has been released to the states including Rajasthan to execute the Scheme in an area of 21.38 lakh ha. GIM is recently launched in 2011-12 as one of the eight missions under National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) and an amount of Rs. 173.94 crores has been released to States for preparatory activities and for perspective plans. The State-wise details of funds released during last three years under NAP and GIM have been provided in the annexure.
(c) to (e) The Ministry receives proposals from the states for financial assistance for raising plantations under NAP and GIM. The proposals submitted by the states for approval of Annual Plan of Operation are sanctioned as per guidelines considering the demand, cost norms of plantations, past performance, wage rates prevailing in the States and budget availability.
*****