Question : ENHANCEMENT OF FOREST COVER

(a) whether a task force headed by the Planning Commission was set up two years ago to work out programme to enhance forest cover;

(b) if so, whether linking the ambitious greening India programme with food-for- work was proposed to enhance forest cover to 33 per cent by 2012;

(c) if so, whether it has been indicated that the programme would require Rs. 48,000 crore in 10 years;

(d) whether the annual allocation of Rs. 4,800 crore was suggested by the Planning Commission task force;

(e) if so, the extent to which the funds have been made available by the Government to implement the programme; and

(f) the progress made in this regard so far ?

THE MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF SMALL SCALE INDUSTRIES, MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES & PENSIONS, MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PLANNING, AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY AND DEPARTMENT OF SPACE(SHRIMATI VASUNDHARA RAJE)

(a) Yes Sir. A Task Force was set up in the Planning Commission in 1999 to suggest measures to enhance the green cover to 33% of the geographical area of the country in ten years` time frame.

(b) to (d) The financial requirement for Greening India Programme would be Rs. 48000 crore in ten years. In view of limitation on availability of funds through budgetary sources, greater reliance is placed on finances from institutional funding and linking the programme with `food for work` scheme for non-cash component. It has been envisaged that Rs.1125 crore per annum would be generated as food component with the implementation of `food for work` scheme. It will help ensuring food accessibility to 10 crore people and providing them greater opportunities for employment and sustainable means of livelihood. The annual requirement of funds for implementation of the programme has been estimated at Rs. 4800 crore for a period of ten years. In order to carry out the programme in ten years time-frame, it is recommended to set up Green India Authority and Green India Fund for effective co-ordination, monitoring and evaluation.

(e) It has been envisaged that out of the total annual requirement of Rs. 4800 crore, Rs. 1125 crore would be obtained as food component by implementation of `food for work` scheme. The balance amount would be tied-up from various sources like plan and non-plan budget of the Central and State governments, afforestation/tree planting programmes of Rural Development and Wasteland Development schemes, Watershed Management programme, externally aided projects, financial institutions and private sector sources. Suitable projects would be prepared for tie-up of these resources.

(f) The Task Force has finalized the report and the Central and State Governments are to initiate actions in this regard.