The Government has approved a slew of green initiatives to increase the forest cover through aggressive and affirmative afforestation. Interacting with mediapersons after chairing the Sixth meeting of National CAMPA Advisory Council (NCAC) here today, the Minister of State (Independent Charge) of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Prakash Javadekar said that unspent funds to the tune of Rs. 250 crores had got accumulated over the last five years and that the Council has allocated Rs. 162 crores to carry out these initiatives. Shri Javadekar said that various programmes like encouraging Urban Forestry, School Nursery Programme, giving online education and protection of endangered species of flora and fauna will be started in various parts of the country.
Projects under Urban Forestry (Nagar Van Udyan Yojana) on a pilot basis envisage creation of city forests under 200 municipal bodies. Shri Javadekar said that 50 cities are likely to join this initiative and funds to the tune of Rs. 50 crores have been initially earmarked for the purpose. A School Nurseries Programme will also be taken up on a pilot basis to inculcate the spirit of conservation of environment in young minds. Students from Class V to IX will be encouraged to plant saplings, nurture them and take the potted plants to their homes at the end of the academic session. In Andaman & Nicobar Islands, support will be provided for a 1 MW biomass-based power project. The project will primarily use biomass and agricultural residue for power generation. Funds to the tune of Rs. 5 crores have been set aside for the purpose. Besides, Rs. 5 crores has also been initially earmarked for the monitoring of corals and mangrove in the Islands. An effort is being made to protect the endangered species of fauna through CAMPA assistance. The endangered species are – Dugong, Gangetic Dolphin, Great Indian Bustard, Manipur Brow Antler Deer (Sangai) and Wild Water Buffalo. Assistance to the tune of Rs. 20 crores has been earmarked to protect the endangered species.
Shri Javadkar said that forests and forest activities such as felling of trees and monitoring their growth will be intensively monitored through GIS system. He added that Rs. 75 crores have been kept aside for such activities. The Minister also emphasised that Forest Survey of India returns to carry out a tree census after 20 years, but will now do so after every five years. The Minister stated that Compensatory Afforestation Fund Bill is being studied by the Standing Committee at present. He hoped that the Bill will be passed in the next session of Parliament.