**Executive Summary:**
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change addresses afforestation projects and the ecological impact of tourism in Jalpaiguri. Afforestation is being carried out through various schemes and initiatives. The ecological impact of tourism in protected areas is being actively monitored, and tourism activities are regulated according to established guidelines and carrying capacities.
**Key Points / Main Content:**
**Afforestation Projects:**
* Afforestation and reforestation work are underway via schemes like the National Mission for a Green India (GIM), Nagar Van Yojana (NVY), and Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitat and Tangible Benefits (MISHTI), and Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA).
* Mass plantation drives are promoted on key occasions, including International Day of Forests, World Environment Day, Van Mahotsav, and Wildlife Week.
* The Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign, launched on June 5th, 2024, encourages citizens to plant trees.
* In the current financial year 2025-26, afforestation works have covered 74.19 ha of degraded forest land in Jalpaiguri District.
**Ecological Impact of Tourism:**
* The State of West Bengal is actively monitoring the ecological impact of tourism in Jalpaiguri's protected areas.
* Protected areas include Gorumara National Park, Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary, and a portion of Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary.
* Tourism is regulated based on carrying capacity guidelines from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) and the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).
* Tourism activities are suspended annually from June 15th to September 15th to allow for ecological recovery during the monsoon season.
* Protected areas are closed one day each week to minimize human interference.
* Visitor numbers at Gorumara National Park remain within permissible carrying capacity.
* Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary and the portion of Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary within the district experience minimal ecological impact due to fewer visitors.
* Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs) have been formally notified for all three protected areas.
* Ecotourism activities within ESZs are strictly monitored by a designated Monitoring Committee.
**Impact Analysis:**
**State of West Bengal:**
* *Impact:* Required to provide information on afforestation efforts and monitor the ecological impact of tourism in Jalpaiguri's protected areas.
* *Action Required:* Continue monitoring tourism impacts, enforcing regulations, and providing information to the Ministry.
**Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change:**
* *Impact:* Responsible for overseeing afforestation and reforestation efforts, as well as setting guidelines for managing tourism in protected areas.
* *Action Required:* Continue implementing and monitoring afforestation schemes and providing guidance on tourism management.
**Citizens:**
* *Impact:* Encouraged to participate in afforestation efforts through campaigns like "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam".
* *Action Required:* Participate in plantation drives and other awareness campaigns to support afforestation efforts.
**Tourists/Visitors:**
* *Impact:* Subject to regulations and restrictions on tourism activities in protected areas to minimize ecological impact.
* *Action Required:* Adhere to guidelines and restrictions in place, including seasonal closures and weekly closures of protected areas.
Key Entities Referenced
Jalpaiguri District, West Bengal: A district in the state of West Bengal, India, where afforestation projects and ecological impact of tourism are being monitored.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change: The Indian government ministry responsible for environment, forest, and climate change policies and initiatives.
National Mission for a Green India GIM: An ongoing scheme by the Ministry for afforestation and reforestation efforts.
Nagar Van Yojana NVY: An ongoing scheme by the Ministry for afforestation and reforestation efforts.
Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitat and Tangible Benefits MISHTI: An ongoing scheme by the Ministry for afforestation and reforestation efforts.
Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority CAMPA: An authority involved in carrying out afforestation activities.
Gorumara National Park: A protected area in Jalpaiguri District, West Bengal, where tourism is regulated and monitored.
Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary: A protected area in Jalpaiguri District, West Bengal, where tourism is regulated and monitored.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3588
TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.08.2025
Afforestation Projects in Jalpaiguri
3588. DR. JAYANTA KUMAR ROY:
Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to
state:
(a) whether the Government is planning to launch any afforestation or eco-restoration
projects in degraded forest zones of Jalpaiguri; and
(b) whether the Government is monitoring the ecological impact of growing tourism in
protected areas of Jalpaiguri and if so, the findings thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND
CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)
(a) The Ministry is undertaking afforestation and reforestation work through ongoing
schemes such as the National Mission for a Green India (GIM), Nagar Van Yojana
(NVY), and the Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitat and Tangible Benefits
(MISHTI), among others. Afforestation activities are also being carried out through
the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority
(CAMPA). The Ministry also promotes mass plantation drives on occasions such as
International Day of Forests, World Environment Day, Van Mahotsav, Wildlife
Week, etc., and raises awareness through campaigns. The ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’
campaign, launched on 5th June 2024, encourages citizens to plant trees in honour of
one’s mother. As per the information provided by the State of West Bengal,
afforestation works over an area of 74.19 ha in degraded forest land has carried out in
Jalpaiguri District in the current financial year 2025-26.
(b) As per the information provided by the State of West Bengal, the ecological impact of
growing tourism in the protected areas of Jalpaiguri District is being actively
monitored by the State. The district hosts three designated protected areas: Gorumara
National Park, Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary, and a portion of Mahananda Wildlife
Sanctuary that falls within its boundaries. Tourism in these areas is regulated in
accordance with the carrying capacity determined by the guidelines of the Ministry of
Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Government of India, and the
National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA). To reduce ecological pressure,
tourism activities such as car safaris and other eco-tourism ventures are suspended
annually from June 15th to September 15th, aligning with the monsoon season to allow
for ecological recovery. Furthermore, all protected areas remain closed one day each
week to minimize human interference. Gorumara National Park experiences the
highest tourist footfall, especially during peak seasons; however, visitor numbersremain within the permissible carrying capacity. In contrast, Chapramari Wildlife
Sanctuary and the portion of Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary located within the district
receive considerably fewer visitors, resulting in minimal ecological impact. To ensure
further protection, Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs) have been formally notified for all
three protected areas through Gazette Notifications. Eco-tourism activities within
these ESZs are stringently monitored as per the respective guidelines and are overseen
by a designated Monitoring Committee.
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