Question : PROMOTION OF PLANTATION



(a) whether the Department of Forests is promoting plantation of fruit bearing trees in the forests; and

(b) if so, the percentage of fruit bearing trees that have been planted in the country, State-wise?

Answer given by the minister


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

(a) and (b) The Ministry of Environment and Forests is implementing National Afforestation Programme (NAP) Scheme for ecorestoration of degraded forests in the country. The 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 Committees (JFMCs) at village level.

The plantation species is selected by the members of JFM Committees on the basis of their needs, ecological conditions and other local factors in consultation with the Forest Department. The native forest species are encouraged for plantation in the forest areas giving importance to trees with multiple uses including fruit bearing trees. Ministry of Environment and Forests has not issued any specific direction for plantation of fruit bearing trees as it is decided by the JFM Committees considering local conditions and the micro plan of the area.