Question : Cutting of Trees

(a) the total forest cover in the State of Assam;
(b) whether it is a fact that massive tree cutting has been reported in the State of Assam during last four years and if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether it is a fact that about 240 million trees were illegally cut by smugglers with collusion of forest officers and if so, the action taken by the Government in this regard;
(d) whether the Union Government has issued any advisory to the State Government to stop/check such activities and if so, the details thereof and the response received therefrom; and
(e) the funds provided to the State for protection of environment and wildlife during each of the last three years and the current year?

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

(SHRI ANIL MADHAV DAVE)

(a) As per the India State of Forest Report 2015, the total forest cover in the State of Assam is 27, 623 Sq. Km.
(b) & (c) As per the report received from the Assam Forest Department, no massive tree cutting has taken in the State during last 4 years. However, as per information received from Assam Forest Department, 54090 trees have been felled under various departmental operations in the last 4 years.

(d) Protection and Management of Forests is primarily the responsibility of the concerned State/UT Government and therefore the action to control illegal felling of trees is taken as per the provisions of various acts such as Indian Forest Act, 1927; Wildlife Protection Act, 1972; Forest Conservation Act, 1980 and various rules & regulations thereof by the states. However, the Ministry broadly monitors data regarding number of trees felled illegally, volume involved etc and the State-wise details are given in Annexure-I.
(e) The details of funds provided to the State of Assam under Intensification of Forest Management Scheme and Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats Scheme is given in Annexure II.

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ANNEXURE-II

ANNEXURE REFFERED TO PART (e) OF THE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1571 DUE FOR REPLY ON 26.07.2016 REGARDING CUTTING OF TREES ASKED BY SHRI RAM PRASAD SARMAH AND SHRI NABA KUMAR SARANIA

Details of funds released under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme “Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats” and “Intensification of Forest Management Scheme” during last three years and current financial year
(Rs. in Lakhs)
S. No Scheme 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16
2016-17
1 Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats 138.88 149.11 87.10 -
2 Intensification of Forest Management Scheme* - - - -

* No funds could be released to the State of Assam under IFM Scheme during the last three years and the current year as the central assistance amounting to Rs.324.40 lakhs is still lying unspent with the State since 2012-13.