Question : AFFORESTATION PROGRAMMES

(a) whether the Government had fixed any target for afforestation during the last five year plan and if so, the details thereof and the targets achieved during the above period, State-wise and if not, the reasons for such shortcoming;

(b) the target fixed for afforestation under the current five year plan, State-wise and the funds allocated for the purpose and the role played/likely to be played by panchayats in such afforestation programmes;

(c) whether Joint Forest Management (JFM) Programme is being implemented all over India and if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether complaints have been received under this programme; and

(e) if so, the details thereof and the action taken thereon?

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT, FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)

(a)and (b) Afforestation/Tree plantation targets in the country are fixed by Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEF & CC) annually to States/UTs under Twenty Point Programme (TPP). Afforestation activities are taken up cross sectorally under various Centrally Sponsored Schemes and also under different State Plan/Non plan schemes including externally aided projects. The details of annual State-wise targets fixed and achievements of last five year plan (2007-08 to 2011-12) and current five year plan up to 2014-15 are given in Annexure – I and II. The reasons for shortcoming in achievement of target in some States during the last plan as reported by them may be attributed to inadequate fund availability, improper coordination between departments, poor infrastructure facilities including staff shortage in State Forest Departments. However, the targets during the first two years of the current plan have been fully achieved.

MoEF & CC is implementing National Afforestation Programme (NAP) a 100% Centrally Sponsored Scheme for regeneration of degraded forests and adjoining areas through a decentralized participatory mechanism by Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMCs) at village level, which has a major contribution towards the afforestation efforts in the country. JFMCs have been recognized as organs of the Gram Sabha having active linkages with Gram Panchayats. The funds released under NAP in the current five year plan are given in Annexure - III.

(c), (d) and (e) Yes Sir. Joint Forest Management (JFM) Programme is reported to be implemented by involving around 1,18,213 JFMCs across 29 States and UT of Andaman & Nicobar Islands for protection and conservation of 22.94 million ha of forests in the country. No complaint has been received so far under this programme.