Question : National Forest Policy

(a) whether the National Forest Policy (NFP) envisages one third of the total land of the country under forest or tree cover as a national goal;
(b) if so, the details thereof along with the total land under forest or tree cover in the country, as on date, State/UT-wise;
(c) whether the Government has received representations/suggestions from various quarters including environmental activists over the fast depleting forest cover in the country;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the steps taken by the Government to prevent depleting forest area and effective implementation of the NFP across the country?

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

(SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)

(a) &(b) The National Forest Policy, 1988 aims to have a minimum of one-third of the total land area of the country under forest or tree cover. As per the India State of Forest Report, 2013, the country’s forest and tree cover is 24.01% of geographical area. The State-wise details of forest and tree cover are given in Annexure I and II respectively.

(c) &(d) The forest and tree cover of the country has shown an overall increase of 6,293.00 sq. km. in forest and tree cover compared to the previous assessment as per the India State of Forest Report, 2011. Some States have shown increase in forest and tree cover, while some have shown decline. Further, the protection and management of forest areas is primarily the responsibility of concerned State/ UT Government. Therefore the representations/ suggestions received in this regard are sent to concerned state/ UT Governments for appropriate action.






(e) The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change is supporting the State/UT Governments in implementing the programmes of afforestation, forest conservation and protection to achieve this goal. Afforestation in the country is taken up under various Centrally Sponsored Schemes such as National Afforestation Programme (NAP), Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP), National Bamboo Mission (NBM), Green India Mission and different State Plan/ Non- Plan Schemes including externally aided projects and under Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA). National Afforestation Programme (NAP) of the Ministry is a 100% Centrally Sponsored Scheme for Afforestation and tree plantation and eco-restoration of degraded forests and adjoining areas in the country. The Scheme is being 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 levels. To supplement the efforts of State/ UT Governments towards protection of forests, under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Intensification of Forest Management Scheme, financial assistance is provided to States and Union Territories.

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