(a) whether the Government has issued any directions to the States for the judicious use of forest land and to protect the forest cover in the country ;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the action taken by the States in this regard;
(c) whether a number of State Governments have not carried out compensatory afforestation programme in their States;
(d) If so the details thereof : and
(e) the action taken/ being taken by the Union Government in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT, FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)
(a) to (e) The protection and management of forests is primarily the responsibility of concerned State/ UT Government. The forests in the country are managed based on the principles of sustainable management as per the approved Working Plans. Further, the non-forestry use of forest lands is regulated under the provisions of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980. Compensatory afforestation is carried out by concerned State/ Union Territories Governments as per the Annual Plans of Operation, out of the funds released to the State Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management & Planning Authority (CAMPA). Instances of States not carrying out any compensatory afforestation work at all have not come to notice.
The Government of India provides Grants-in-aid to State/UT Governments under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Intensification of Forest Management. The aim of the scheme is to supplement the efforts of the States for forest protection. Funds under the scheme are utilized for patrolling of the forests, establishment of field camps, building watch towers, creation and maintenance of fire lines, forest fire control, survey and demarcation of forest areas and strengthening of forest infrastructure etc. States/UTs also take forest protection measures under various state sector schemes. Support of local communities is also taken for protection and management of forests under Joint Forest Management (JFM).