Question : AFFORESTATION IN THE COUNTRY

(a) the extent of forest cover in every State/Union Territory of the country with respect to its total area at present;

(b) whether a large scale deforestation/denudation has taken place and the forest cover has been receding for the last five years;

(c) if so, the details thereof for each year and the reasons therefor, State/Union Territory-wise;

(d) whether the Government have any comprehensive programmes to check the fast vanishing forest area and to increase the total forest cover in each State of the country, particularly in Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh;

(e) if so, the details indicating the funds allocated, disbursed and utilized during the last five years and thereafter, till-date, State/Union Territory-wise;

(f) whether any external assistance for the purpose has been provided during the said period in the country particularly in Tamil Nadu;

(g) if so, the details thereof, State-wise; and

(h) the funds spent out of that so far during the said period?

MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (SHRI T.R.BAALU)

(a) to (h): The statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT IN RESPECT OF PART (a) TO (h) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION No. 82 FOR 24.2.2003 REGARDING AFFORESTATION IN THE COUNTRY.

(a) The State/Union Territory-wise details of the extent of forest cover and geographical area are given in Annexure-I.

(b) No, Sir.

(c) Does not arise.

(d) & (e) The Government has formulated National Forestry Action Programme to increase the forest/tree cover to 33% of the geographical area as mandated in the National Forest Policy 1988. The Five-Year Plan (2002-2007) envisages an increase in the forest/tree cover to 25% by 2007 and 33% by 2012. The State-wise (including Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh) and scheme-wise details of funds allocated and utilized during the last five years and thereafter are given at Annexure- II.

(f) to (h) The details of externally aided projects under implementation in various States including Tamil Nadu during the last five years are given in Annexure-III.