MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS
(SHRIMATI JAYANTHI NATARAJAN):
(a) The total forest cover in the North Eastern region is 173,219 Km2
which is 66.07% of its geographical area in comparison to the National
forest cover of 21.05%. The details of forest cover in North Eastern
States, State-wise is given in Annexure I.
(b) & (c) Yes, Sir. The overall increase in forest cover in the
North Eastern States is 3,853Km2 as per the details in State of Forest
Report 2001 and India State of Forest Report 2011. The details of change
in forest cover State-wise is given in Annexure II.
(d) The contribution of forestry sector to the GDP of the country
is about 1% however in the North Eastern States as the States are more
dependent on the forest resources the contribution of the forestry
sector to the GDP of the North Eastern States is much higher to the
tune of 10-15%.
(e) The details of total budgetary allocation and expenditure for
protection and conservation of forests and wildlife in the North Eastern
region during the Eleventh Five Year Plan is given in Annexure III.
(f) The objective of the allocation was to protect and conserve the
forest and wildlife in North Eastern region. The criteria for undertaking
the expenditure was specific to established norms for the scheme from which
the allocation is made under CSS and Plan Schemes.
