Cabinet clears Rs 13,000 crore project to increase forest cover
Cabinet clears Rs 13,000 crore project to increase forest cover
Feb 20, 2014, 01.02 PM IST
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved a proposal of the Ministry of Environment and Forests for a National Mission for a Green India (GIM) as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme.
A total expenditure of Rs. 13,000 crore has been envisaged for the National Mission for Green India. The plan outlay is only Rs. 2000 crores. It was decided that the source of funding for the GIM scheme would be from the Plan outlay, and convergence with MGNREGA activities, CAMPA and the NAP. Two types of sharing patterns have been decided for the plan outlay with Centre and NE states contributing at 90:10 ratioand for the rest of India the Central Govt. will bear 75% and states 25%. The 13th Finance Commission grant funds may be counted towards the States' share, to the extent that this is in conformity with the Commission’s award.
The objectives of the Mission during 12th Plan period includes increased forest/tree cover and improved quality of forest cover in two to eight million hectares, alongwith improved ecosystem services including biodiversity, hydrological services, increased forest-based livelihood income of households, living in and around the forests, and enhanced annual CO2 sequestration.
It has been decided that The National Mission for Green India will be implemented on a decentralized participatory approach with involvement of grass root level organizations in planning, decision making, implementation and monitoring. The gram sabha and the committees mandated by the gram sabha, including revamped Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMCs) will oversee implementation at the village level. Revamped Forest Development Agency (FDA) under the Chair of an elected representative at district/division level, revamped State Forest Development Agency with a Steering Committee chaired by the Chief Secretary and an Executive Committee chaired by the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests at the State/U.T. level. A Governing Council, chaired by the Minister Environment and Forests and a National Executive Council chaired by the Secretary (E&F) and co-chaired by the DGF&SS with the Mission Director as the Member Secretary at the national level will facilitate Mission implementation. A multidisciplinary team, both from Govt. and NGOs will be mandated to facilitate planning and implementation at cluster/landscape unit level.
