(a) whether the Government has proposed some policy for environmental conservation and to prevent felling of trees during housing constructions;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government in this regard;
(c) whether the Government has proposed afforestation drives in the colonies established by the Government to help maintain the green cover in the country, State/UT-wise; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI BABUL SUPRIYO)
(a) & (b) Environmental Clearance to housing construction projects is granted with project specific and general conditions related to conservations and environment protection, including a condition that no tree shall be cut/transplanted unless exigencies demand and where absolutely necessary, tree cutting/transplantation shall be with prior permission from the concerned State Forest Department. Old trees at site are required to be retained based on girth and age regulations, as may be prescribed by the Forest Department. A compensatory plantation of at least three trees in lieu of every tree felled is mandated in cases where such permission is granted.
(c) & (d) National Afforestation and Eco-Development Board (NAEB) of this Ministry administers a Centrally Sponsored Scheme “National Afforestaion Programme (NAP)” for regeneration of degraded forests and adjoining area through people’s participation. The scheme is implemented through a decentralized mechanism of State Forest Department Agency (SFDA) at State level, Forest Development Agency (FDA) at Forest Division level and Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMCs) at village level.
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