(a) the details of the number of grasslands in the country including Bundelkhand;
(b) whether the grasslands are in poor condition in Bundelkhand due to lack of proper care and also these have been illegally occupied;
(c) if so, the details thereof; and
(d) the measures being taken by the Government for proper management of grasslands?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)
(a) to (d) Management and protection of grasslands is primarily the responsibility of State Governments. As per the Desertification and Land Degradation Atlas (2011-13) prepared by Space Application Centre, the area of degraded grassland/grazing land in the country has increased by 0.99 million hectares since 2003-05. The measures taken by the Ministry for proper management of wildlife habitats, including grasslands,include:
i. Under the Green India Mission, an area of 4495.70 hectare has been treated since 2015-16 under restoration of grasslands category.
ii. National Afforestation and Eco-Development Board (NAEB) is implementing National Afforestation Programme (NAP) for ecological restoration of degraded forests and adjoining areas through people’s participation. Out of seven plantation models under NAP, one model namely ‘silvipasture development’ promotes plantation of Indian grasslands inside degraded forests. An area of 8413 hectare has been sanctioned for development of silvipasture during the period 2015-16 to 2020-21.
iii. Protected Areas, viz., National Parks, Sanctuaries, Conservation Reserves and Community Reserves have been notified all over the country under the provisions of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 to protect wildlife and their habitats including grasslands.
iv. The Ministry provides financial assistance under the Centrally Sponsored Schemes of Development of Wildlife Habitats, Project Tiger and Project Elephant for protection of wildlife habitats which include grasslands.
Information regarding number of grasslands in the country is not collated in the Ministry.
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