(a) whether the attention of the Government has been drawn to the newsitem captioned `Vano ke vikas ke liye kendra rashi muheya karaye` appearing in the Dainik Jagaran dated June 7, 2000;
(b) if so, whether any request has been made by the U.P. Government to the Union Government regarding development of forests in the State;
(c) if so, the details thereof; and
(d) the action taken or proposed to be taken by the Union Government in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (SHRI BABULAL MARANDI)
(a) to (d) Yes Sir. As per the State of Forests Report, 1997, the extent of forest cover in the hill districts of UP is 22,658 sq. km. which is 44.3% of its total geographical area of 51,125 sq. km.. The Government have formulated the National Forestry Action Programme for the next 20 years for sustainable development of forests as also to bring 33% of the total geographical area of the country under forest/tree cover as stipulated in the National Forest Policy, 1988 based on the State Forestry Action Plans prepared by the States. The total requirement of funds for sustainable development of forests in Uttar Pradesh as per NFAP has been estimated at Rs. 32208.2 million for the next 20 years. However, the Government is implementing Centrally Sponsored Schemes on Integrated Afforestation and Eco Development Project Scheme, Area Oriented Fuel wood and Fodder Plantation Scheme, Non Timber Forest Product Scheme and Uttar Pradesh Forestry Projects ( An Externally Aided Project funded by the World Bank ) for development of forests in Uttar Pradesh.