(a) whether the Government has received complaints from any State including Uttar Pradesh regarding bogus/fake afforestation;
(b) if so, the details of such complaints, State-wise; and
(c) the details of the action taken/being taken by the Government in this regard?
MINISTER FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(DR. HARSH VARDHAN)
(a) to (c) The Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change has received no complaints of fake afforestation from any State including Uttar Pradesh. However, a case of mis-appropriation of about Rs. 2 crores of central grant released during 2012-13 for 800 hectares of plantation of ‘Herbs and Shrubs of Medicinal Value’ in Munnar Forest Division of Kerala under National Afforestation Programme, has come to the notice of the Ministry. The matter has been inquired/investigated by the Vigilance Wing of the Kerala State Forest Department (KSFD) and the Ministry has directed KSFD to hand over the case to State Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) to take further legal action against the accused officials and recovery of mis-appropriated central fund.
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