Question : FUNDS FOR DEVELOPMENT OF FORESTS

(a) the amount sanctioned, released and utilised for development/conservation of forests in the country during the last three years, State-wise;

(b) the necessary steps taken by the Government to activate afforestation activities in the country especially in the States of Gujarat and Maharashtra;

(c) the details of aberration made by each State in the enforcement of Supreme Court directives on the forest conservation in the region; and

(d) the specific eco-development protection plans envisaged for implementation in the country in terms of national and international conventions with special reference to States of Gujarat and Maharashtra?

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (SHRIMATI JAYANTHI NATARAJAN)

(a) and (b) The Ministry of Environment and Forests is implementing two major Centrally Sponsored Schemes for development/conservation of forests in the country, including Gujarat and Maharashtra, namely (1) National Afforestation Programme (NAP), a 100% Centrally Sponsored Scheme for tree plantation and eco-restoration of degraded forests and adjoining areas in the country through people’s participation and (2) Intensification of Forest Management Scheme (IFMS) in which funds are provided for protection of forests. The details of funds released under the NAP and IFMS schemes to State/Union Territory Governments, including Gujarat and Maharashtra, during the last three years are given in Annexure I & II.

(c) In General, Hon’ble Supreme Court’s directives on Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 in the region have been complied with.

(d) India is a member state of United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF) which is a subsidiary body of United Nations. It was established in October 2000 by the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations (ECOSOC) in its Resolution 2000/35 with the main objective to promote “the management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests. International Arrangements on Forests which at present include Non Legally Binding Instruments on Forests (NLBI) provides for 25 measures for policy and action for achieving sustainable forests management in member countries including India.