(a) the total area of land in Maharashtra on which trees have been planted by the Government in lieu of the trees felled for construction of National Highways during each of the last three years;
(b) whether Government is aware that artificial afforestation is not a long term measure and it cannot compensate for vanishing natural forests; and
(c) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(DR. MAHESH SHARMA)
(a)(b) and (c) Details of total area of land in Maharashtra on which trees have been planted by the Government in lieu of the trees felled for construction of National Highway under compensatory afforestation scheme during the last three years is given as under –
Year Total area (in ha)
2015-16 25.00
2016-17 179.52
2017-18 73.90
Diversion of forest is made against unavoidable development projects. To compensate such loss in forest cover, if any, compensatory afforestation under appropriate scheme is the best possible option. Moreover, afforestation activities have a long gestation period before significant increase can be recorded through satellite imageries. Accordingly, there would be an eventual major gain in forest cover over a period of time.
*****