Recently, the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change submitted a written reply in the Lok Sabha. This answer shed light on the various measures the government has put in place to improve forest cover in India, showing a clear commitment to environmental conservation.
About Forest Cover in India
The Forest Survey of India (FSI), based in Dehradun, conducts biennial assessments of forest cover, a practice that began in 1987. The results are then published in the India State of Forest Report (ISFR). According to the most recent data from the ISFR (2021), India’s total forest and tree cover is approximately 8,09,537 square kilometers. This figure accounts for 24.62% of India’s total geographical area. Compared to the ISFR 2019 findings, there has been an increase of 2261 square kilometers, an encouraging sign for the country’s forest preservation efforts.
Initiatives by the Government to Increase Forest Cover
The Green India Mission (GIM) was launched in the 2015-16 financial year with a focus on afforestation activities. In the last five years, ₹755.28 crores have been allocated to seventeen states and one union territory to support afforestation. The National Afforestation Programme also aims at improving forest areas and surrounding regions but has now been merged with the Green India Mission.
Nagar Van Yojana and Compensatory Afforestation Fund
Another significant initiative is the Nagar Van Yojana (NVY), introduced in 2020. This scheme targets the creation of 600 Nagar Vans and 400 Nagar Vatika in urban and peri-urban settings by 2024-25. It intends to strengthen the green cover, conserve biological diversity, and enhance urban quality of life. Meanwhile, the Compensatory Afforestation Fund (CAMPA) is used by states and union territories to compensate for the diversion of forest land for development projects. Of the entire fund, 90% goes to the states and the remaining 10% is retained by the central government.
Multi-Departmental Efforts in Forest Conservation
Afforestation efforts are not solely managed by the central government. They are also part of various programmes and schemes run by different Ministries, State Governments, UT Administrations, NGOs, civil societies, and corporate bodies. Some prominent efforts include the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, National Bamboo Mission, and Sub-Mission on Agroforestry.
Draft National Forest Policy
This policy is focused on incorporating climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies into traditional forest management practices. It underscores the necessity of building resilience towards climate change, especially amongst communities heavily dependent on forests.
Relevant UPSC Civil Services Examination Questions
Learning about forest conservation in India is important, not only for understanding the country’s environmental conservation efforts but also for preparing for exams such as the UPSC Civil Services Examination. Here are a couple of questions from previous years related to this topic:
– Which ministry is the nodal agency to ensure effective implementation of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 at a national level? (2021)
– What specific State in India shares the same latitude as northern Rajasthan, has over 80% of its area under forest cover, and has more than 12% of its forest area marked as a Protected Area Network? (2012)
– Discuss the statement, “The most significant achievement of modern law in India is the constitutionalization of environmental problems by the Supreme Court.” Use relevant case laws in your answer. (2022)