Executive Summary:
This document details the Indian government's response to a parliamentary question regarding forest conservation and afforestation schemes implemented in Telangana since 2019. It outlines various central government initiatives, including the Nagar Van Yojana, Compensatory Afforestation Fund (CAF) Act, and Forest Fire Prevention and Management Scheme. The response provides details of funds allocated, physical targets, and achievements related to afforestation efforts in Telangana from 2019-2025.
Key Points / Main Content:
Forest Conservation and Afforestation Schemes:
* Nagar Van Yojana (NVY): Implemented since 2020-21 to create forest-green spaces in urban areas, funded by CAMPA. 60 projects approved in Telangana covering 1,690.6 hectares, with ₹24.72 crore released over five years.
* Compensatory Afforestation Fund (CAF) Act, 2016: Mitigates forest cover loss through compensatory afforestation, restoration, and wildlife habitat enhancement.
* Forest Fire Prevention and Management Scheme: Provides financial assistance to Telangana for preventing and controlling forest fires. ₹4.05 crore provided from 2019-20 to 2024-25.
* 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' Campaign: Launched on June 5, 2024, promoting voluntary tree planting. Telangana planted 1,15,74,904 trees under this campaign in 2024.
* Mass Tree Plantation Programmes: Promotes citizen participation on occasions like International Day of Forests, World Environment Day, etc. These programs, along with State-funded schemes, enabled afforestation and reforestation over 21.15 lakh hectares through the plantation of 143 crore seedlings in Telangana during the period 2019-20 to 2024-25.
* Green India Mission: Not currently being implemented by Telangana.
* CAMPA: No proposals are pending from Telangana.
Funds Released and Achievements (2019-2025):
* Funds were released under Compensatory Afforestation.
* Significant achievements in afforestation targets were made, with detailed figures provided in the Annexure for each year of operation.
* Year-wise details of approved annual plans, targets in hectares, achievement in hectares, and funds released in Rupees crore are provided for the period 2019-20 to 2024-25.
Impact Analysis:
Government of Telangana:
* Impact: Receives funding and implements afforestation and conservation schemes.
* Action Required: Continue implementing approved schemes, utilize allocated funds effectively, and monitor progress against targets.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change:
* Impact: Oversees and supports afforestation efforts in Telangana.
* Action Required: Continue providing financial and technical assistance, monitor scheme implementation, and review performance.
National Authority of CAMPA:
* Impact: Provides funding for the Nagar Van Yojana.
* Action Required: Ensure timely release of funds and monitor project implementation.
State/UT Forest Departments and Urban Local Bodies:
* Impact: Implement the Nagar Van Yojana at the local level.
* Action Required: Effectively implement approved projects and utilize funds for creating urban green spaces.
Citizens and Stakeholders:
* Impact: Benefit from afforestation and ecological restoration efforts.
* Action Required: Participate in mass tree plantation programs and support forest conservation initiatives.
Key Entities Referenced
Telangana: A state in India, the location of the forest conservation and afforestation schemes being discussed.
Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority CAMPA: An authority responsible for managing funds related to compensatory afforestation activities.
Green India Mission: A centrally sponsored scheme focused on enhancing green cover and ecological restoration in India.
Nagar Van Yojana NVY: A scheme aimed at creating forests/green spaces in urban and peri-urban areas.
Compensatory Afforestation Fund CAF Act, 2016: The legal framework governing the management and utilization of funds for compensatory afforestation.
Centrally Sponsored Forest Fire Prevention and Management Scheme: A scheme providing financial assistance to states/UTs for prevention and control of forest fires.
Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam: A campaign launched to promote voluntary tree planting as a mark of respect for mothers.
Nalgonda: A district in Telangana with low forest cover.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2360
TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.08.2025
Forest Conservation and Afforestation Schemes in Telangana
2360. SHRI KUNDURU RAHUVEER:
Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to
state:
(a) the details of various schemes implemented by the Government for forest conservation,
afforestation and ecological restoration in Telangana since 2019;
(b) the funds allocated and released to Telangana under each of these Schemes, year and
scheme-wise;
(c) the details of physical targets and achievements under these schemes, including area
afforested, saplings planted and degraded forest land restored;
(d) whether the Government has reviewed the performance and impact of these Schemes in
Telangana, particularly in districts with low forest cover like Nalgonda;
(e) whether any proposals from the Telangana Government are pending for clearance or
fund release under Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning
Authority (CAMPA), Green India Mission, or other Centrally sponsored schemes; and
(f) if so, the details thereof and the expected timeline for their approval and
implementation?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND
CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)
(a) to (d) The Ministry has undertaken several initiatives for afforestation in the State of
Telangana. The details of the various schemes implemented for forest
conservation, afforestation, and ecological restoration in Telangana since 2019 are
as follows:
(i) The Nagar Van Yojana (NVY), aimed at creating forest/green spaces in urban
and peri-urban areas, is being implemented since 2020–21 through the State/UT
Forest Departments and Urban Local Bodies. The scheme is funded by the
National Authority of the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and
Planning Authority (CAMPA). Under this scheme, 60 projects covering an area
of 1,690.6 hectares have been approved in Telangana, and ₹24.72 crore has been
released over the past five years.
(ii) The Compensatory Afforestation Fund (CAF) Act, 2016 and the CAF Rules,
2018 aim to mitigate the loss of forest cover and associated ecosystem services
resulting from the diversion of forest land for non-forest purposes. This is
achieved through activities such as compensatory afforestation, restoration ofdegraded forests, enhancement of wildlife habitats, and biodiversity enrichment.
The details of the funds approved for the State of Telangana and the status of
Compensatory Afforestation (CA) carried out under CAMPA funds since 2019–
20 are provided in the Annexure.
(iii) The Ministry supplements the efforts of State/Union Territory Governments in
prevention and control of forest fire by providing financial assistance under the
Centrally Sponsored Forest Fire Prevention and Management Scheme. Under this
scheme a total of ₹ 4.05 crores has been provided to the Telangana during the
period 2019-20 to 2024-25
(iv) The 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign was launched on 5th June 2024 to promote
voluntary tree planting as a mark of love, respect, and honour for mothers. In the
current year, Telangana has planted 1,15,74,904 trees under this campaign.
(v) The Ministry promotes citizen and stakeholder participation in mass tree
plantation programmes on special occasions such as the International Day of
Forests, World Environment Day, Van Mahotsav, Wildlife Week, etc., on a
voluntary basis. These programmes, along with State-funded schemes, have
enabled afforestation and reforestation over 21.15 lakh hectares through the
plantation of 143 crore seedlings in Telangana during the period 2019–20 to
2024–25.
(e) & (f) The Green India Mission is currently not being implemented by Telangana, and no
proposal under CAMPA is pending in respect of the State.
***Annexure
Annexure referred to in reply of the Lok Sabha Un-Starred Question No. 2360 due for
reply on 04.08.2025 by Shri Kunduru Rahuveer regarding “Forest Conservation and
Afforestation Schemes in Telangana”
Funds released under Compensatory Afforestation status of Telangana State 2019-2024-25
Approved Annual Plan Target Achievement
Sr No. Year of Operations (in Ha) (in Ha)
(Rs crores)
2019-20 501.26 6268.86 4414.51
1
2020-21 483.78 4643.72 4178.16
2
3 2021-22 752.71 3330.77 2490.07
4 2022-23 772.65 2799.41 2052.71
5 2023-24 455.3 918.771 551.12
6 2024-25 386.8 17961.54 13686.57
***