(a) whether the Government proposes to set up a specificinstitution for conducting studies and research related to forests and management of forest resources in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the time by which it is likely to be set up; and
(c) the target fixed by the Government to increase the depleting forest area in view of increasing population?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(DR. MAHESH SHARMA)
(a) & (b) No, Madam. There is no proposal to set up a specific institution for conducting studies and research related to forests and management of forest resources in the country. Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE), Dehradun, an autonomous organisation under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF & CC) is undertaking holistic research on forestry through its nine research institutes and four Regional Centres situated in the differentagro-climatic zones of the country.
(c) Forest Survey of India, Dehradun, a subordinate organization under Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, has been carrying out the assessment of forest cover of the country biennially. The findings of the assessment are published in India State of Forest Report. As per the latest report 2015, the total forest and tree cover of the country is 7, 94,245 square kilometres which is 24.16% of the total geographical area of the country. There is a net increase of 3775 square kilometers in the forest cover of the country as compared with India State of Forest Report-2013. There are a number of schemes of the Ministry to increase the forest cover of the countrywhich includes National Mission for a Green India (GIM) and National Afforestation Programme (NAP).
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