Question : FUNDS FOR NATIONAL AFFORESTATION PROGRAMME AND FOREST DEVELOPMENT AGENCY

(a) the funds earmarked for National Afforestation Programme and Forest Development Agency (FDA) during the last three years and the current year;

(b) the time frame followed for releasing the funds for annual work programme during the said period;

(c) the funds released/ to be released during the Tenth and Eleventh Five Year Plans;

(d) whether the funds to F.D.As in the States including Gujarat has been released as per schedule;

(e) if not, the reasons therefor; and

(f) the time by which the funds are likely to be released to the States for the purpose?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS(SHRI S. REGUPATHY)

(a) The funds earmarked for National Afforestation Programme (NAP) during the years 2005-06, 2006-07, 2007-08 and 2008-09 are Rs. 249.83 crore, Rs. 292.81 crore, Rs. 392.95 and Rs. 345.62 crore respectively.

(b) Funds are released to projects on receipt of appropriate proposals along-with satisfactory utilization of the funds released earlier and other requisite documents like progress report, audit report etc. The release is further subject to availability of fund with National Afforestation and Eco-Development Board during the financial year.

(c) An amount of Rs. 1133.11 crore was released in respect of NAP projects during the Tenth Five Year Plan. An amount of Rs 617.61 crore was released (as on 3.12.08) out of an allocation of Rs. 2000 crore for the scheme during the Eleventh Five Year Plan.

(d) The funds were released to the Forest Development Agencies of all States including Gujarat for annual work programmes of the respective years subject to (b) above.

(e) & (f) Does not arise.