(a) whether about 75% of India’s forest are tropical dry forest;
(b) if so, whether the fire, grazing weed, infection and encroachment continue to create
problems for sustainable forest development in the country; and
(c) if so, the steps being taken by the Government in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (SHRI S. REGUPATHY)
(a) As per the information provided by Forest Survey of India, Dehradun, area of tropical
dry forests is 35.6% of the total forest cover of the country.
(b) It is a fact that forest fires, grazing, weed, infestation by pests and diseases and
encroachments do adversely affect the sustainable forest management.
(c) Under the Centrally Sponsored Integrated Forest Protection Scheme, financial assistance
is being provided to States/UTs to take up effective measures for protection and management
of existing forests. In addition, various State/UTs Governments also take up protection
measures under the respective schemes of the State/UT plan.