(a) the details of schemes being implemented by the Government for environmental conservation in the country;
(b) whether the Government proposes to launch plantation campaign for protection/ conservation of environment;
(c) if so, the details thereof; and
(d) the other steps proposed to be taken by the Government for protection of environment?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(DR. MAHESH SHARMA)
(a)to (d) The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) is implementing two major afforestation schemes in the country for environmental conservation 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. GIM is recently launched in 2011-12 as one of the eight missions under National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) for protection of environment. For protection and conservation of environment, every year Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change fixes annual targets for tree plantation/ afforestation, under Twenty Point Programme (TPP), for states and Union Territories. During 2017-18, an area of 1.43 million hectare is targeted to be planted under Twenty Point Programme. Tree Plantation/Afforestation activities are taken up cross-sectorally by various departments, NGOs, civil society, corporate etc. under various Centrally Sponsored Schemes and also under different State Plan/Non Plan Schemes including Externally Aided Projects. In addition to above, states also take up plantation drive on special days like during Van Mahotsav, Wildlife Week, World Environment Day etc.
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