(a) whether the Government has any proposal to insist a stipulated percentage of area for planting of trees in cities compared to its size, by bringing a suitable legislation in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the steps taken by the Government in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS
(SHRIMATI JAYANTHI NATARAJAN)
(a), (b) and (c) No, Sir. The Ministry of Environment and Forests does not have any proposal to insist a stipulated percentage of area for planting of trees in cities in the country through legislation. However, the National Forest Policy, 1980 stipulates 33% of forest and tree cover of the total geographical area of the country. Considering this goal, the Ministry interalia has initiated the National Mission for a Green India as one of the eight Missions under the National Action Plan on Climate Change that aims to improve and increase forest & tree cover on 10 million hectare area over ten years from 2012-13.This includes to increase the tree cover on about 0.2 million ha and about 0.6 million ha in urban & peri-urban areas and along highways, roadsides etc.,respectively.The plantation in community lands, schools , roadsides, institutions, etc., are also carried out by the States under social forestry programme and by other Ministries of Government of India.