(a) whether reckless deforestation is the main reasons for worsening climate change and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the Government has constituted any committee or formulated any policy to check deforestation;
(c) if so, the details thereof; and
(d) the details of projects undertaken by the Government to keep the country safe from the impact of climate change along with the name of the committee constituted in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(DR. MAHESH SHARMA)
(a) As per the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), changes in atmospheric concentration of Green House Gases (GHGs) and aerosols, land cover and solar radiation alter the energy balance. Some of these changes have been due to natural causes and other can be attributed to anthropogenic activities. These anthropogenic activities such as burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, emissions from industries & transport, etc have resulted in increased concentration of Green House Gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere. These GHGs trap heat and increase earth’s average surface temperature leading to climate change.
(b) & (c) The primary responsibility of protection and management of forest areas from various threats lies with the respective State/Union Territory Governments. The Government of India has formulated draft National Forest Policy 2018, which emphasizes integrating climate change mitigation and adaptation measures in forest management. The Government conducts biennial assessment of forest and tree cover using remote sensing technology and publishes findings in India State of Forest Report (ISFR). As per the latest report, the country has registered an increase in the forest and tree cover.
(d) The key afforestation programmes taken up by Government of India includes National Afforestation Programme (NAP) by National Afforestation and Eco-Development Board (NAEB); and National Mission for Green India under the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), which aims at protecting, restoring and enhancing India’s forest & tree cover. The Government has reconstituted the Prime Minister’s Council on Climate Change (PMCCC) in 2015, to evolve a coordinated response to issues relating to climate change at the national level and provide oversight for formulation of action plans in the area of assessment, adaptation and mitigation of climate change. The Government is also providing assistance under the National Adaptation Fund on Climate Change scheme to States/ Union Territories to meet cost of adaptation measures covering various sectors, including forestry.
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