Green India mission plans of four states approved

The Perspective Plans of all four States, with a total financial outlay of Rs. 90, 202.68 lakh for a Plan period of 5 to 10 years were approved, along with APOs of Rs.11, 195.32 lakh for this financial year.

The total forest and non-forest area taken up in these four States under GIM during the total plan period will be 1, 08, 335 hectares (ha) out of which 81, 939 ha will be improving the density of existing forests and 16, 396 ha will be new areas. For the current financial year, it will be 28, 250 ha and 7, 827 ha respectively.

Approval has been granted for alternative energy devices such as biogas, solar devices, LPG, biomass-based systems and improved stoves for 27, 032 households for the current financial year and 81, 233 households for the total plan period.

This will help in reducing pressure on forests, gaining carbon benefits, along with health and other associated benefits.

GIM, one of the eight Missions outlined under the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), acknowledges the influence that forests have on environmental amelioration though climate change mitigation, food security, water security, biodiversity conservation and livelihood security of forest dependent communities.

The mission hinges on decentralized participatory approach involving grass root level organizations and community in planning, decision making, implementation and monitoring with emphasis on landscape approach and convergence with complementary schemes and programmes for better coordination in developing forests and their fringe areas in a holistic and sustainable manner.

The meeting, held on October 9, 2015, was attended by the members of NEC, inter-ministerial experts, Mission Director, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (PCCFs) and State nodal officers from four States. The meeting was chaired by Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEFCC), Ashok Lavasa. The Secretary appreciated the efforts being taken up by the States in working upon convergence opportunities with complementary schemes/programmes to ensure requisite investment and saturation of the landscapes.