(a) whether the Government has launched any scheme to provide opportunities of livelihood to the communities dependent on
forests in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the steps taken by the Government to improve the condition of forests and increase the forest resources in the country?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (SHRIMATI JAYANTHI NATARAJAN)
(a), (b) & (c) Yes, Sir. The Ministry of Environment and Forests is providing funds to the States/UTs under Centrally Sponsored
Schemes titled National Afforestation Programme (NAP), Mission for a Green India (GIM) and Intensification of Forest Management
Scheme (IFMS) for conservation and development of forests which includes livelihood improvement activities, income generation activities
etc. apart from employment generation. These funds are utilized for regeneration and development of degraded forests and its adjoining
areas through people’s participation, supplementing the efforts of States/UTs for forest protection and training of forest personnel. The NAP
scheme is implemented through a decentralized mechanism of State Forest Development Agency (SFDA) at State level, Forest Development
Agency (FDA) at Forest Division level and Joint Forest Management Committee at the village level. The Government of India is implementing
GIM under the National Action Plan on Climate Change. Funds provided under IFMS are utilized for patrolling of the forests, establishment of
camps buildings, fire watch tower, creation and maintenance of fire lines, forest fire control, survey and demarcation of forest areas and
strengthening of forest infrastructure. Grants have been provided to States/UTs to the tune of Rs 5000 crores under XIIIth Finance Commission
for conservation and development of forests.