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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2429
TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.08.2026
Forest Conservation and Sustainable Management
2429. SHRI SURESH KUMAR SHETKAR:
Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to
state:
(a) whether policies exist to prevent fragmentation of forests due to infrastructure
expansion, if so, the details thereof, and effectiveness of such measures;
(b) whether State Governments are complying with forest conservation laws and guidelines,
if so, the details thereof and actions taken against violations;
(c) whether awareness programmes are being conducted to promote forest conservation, if
so, the details thereof and outreach achieved among local communities;
(d) whether the Government plans to increase forest cover targets under national policies,
if so, the details thereof and timeline for achieving such targets; and
(e) whether a comprehensive national strategy is being implemented to save forests and
ensure sustainable management, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons for
delay?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND
CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)
(a) to The diversion of forest land for non-forestry purposes, including infrastructure
(b) projects, is regulated under the provisions of the Van (Sanrakshan Evam
Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980 and the rules and guidelines issued thereunder.
Proposals involving diversion of forest land are examined on a case-to-case basis
taking into consideration forestry, wildlife and environmental perspectives. While
considering such proposals, emphasis is given to minimise the requirement of
forest land and to avoid or reduce fragmentation of forests.
State Governments and Union Territory Administrations are mandated to comply
with the provisions of the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980,
the rules made thereunder and the guidelines issued by the Central Government
from time to time. In cases where violations are noticed, appropriate action is taken
in accordance with the provisions of the Adhiniyam, rules and guidelines issued
thereunder,
(c) to The Government of India, in collaboration with State Governments and other
(e) stakeholders, implements a range of awareness and outreach programmes to
promote forest conservation and sustainable management of forest resources.These include nationwide mass campaigns to encourage tree plantation and foster
public participation in environmental conservation, celebration of Van Mahotsav,
International Day of Forests, World Environment Day, and Wildlife Week, as well
as organization of seminars, workshops, nature camps, eco-development
activities, school and college awareness programmes, plantation drives, and
community outreach initiatives.
The National Forest Policy, 1988 also envisages the national goal to have a
minimum of one-third of the total land area under forest or tree cover and two-
thirds of the area under such cover in the hill and mountainous regions of the
country.
In order to increase the forest and tree cover, the Ministry provides technical and
financial support to the States and Union Territories under various schemes and
programmes such as National Mission for a Green India (GIM), Compensatory
Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA), Nagar Van
Yojana, Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes
(MISHTI), etc.
Further, Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMC) and Village Eco-
Development Committees (EDC) have been established, through participatory
approaches, at the village levels involving local communities in forest protection,
conservation, and management of forests, including enhancing the livelihoods of
forest dependent communities and tribals.
The National Working Plan Code-2023, released by the Ministry in 2023, serves
as the guiding framework for the preparation of Working Plans by State Forest
Departments for the scientific and sustainable management of forests across the
country.
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