Parliament Question: Forest Conservation and Tribal Livelihood in Kandhamal

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 219 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.07.2026 Forest Conservation and Tribal Livelihood in Kandhamal 219. SHRI SUKANTA KUMAR PANIGRAHI: Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state: (a) the details of afforestation, forest conservation and biodiversity projects undertaken by the Government in Kandhamal district of Odisha during the last five years; (b) the details of funds allocated and utilised under Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) and Green India Mission in the said district; (c) whether the Government has undertaken any special programme for sustainable livelihood generation through Non-Timber Forest Produce, medicinal plants and bamboo-based industries in tribal areas of the said district, if so, the details thereof; and (d) the measures taken by the Government to mitigate human-wildlife conflict in forest fringe villages of Kandhamal district of Odisha? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH) (a) & (b) The Government of India extended support for carrying out afforestation, reforestation, biodiversity conservation programme. Funds are provided under such schemes/programme such as Green India Mission, NCAMPA, Nagar Van Yojana, MISHTI etc. During the period 2021-22 to 2025-26, a total of ₹216.66 crore was allocated/received under CAMPA and the Green India Mission in Kandhamal district, against which ₹214.99 crore was utilised. As per the information furnished by the State Government, Kandhamal district is covered under the Balliguda and Phulbani Forest Divisions. During the last five years (2021-22 to 2025-26), afforestation, assisted natural regeneration, avenue plantation, soil and moisture conservation, and other eco-restoration activities have been undertaken under various forestry programmes. During this period, afforestation was carried out over 960 ha, assisted natural regeneration over 18,650 ha, avenue plantations covering 670 road kilometres, and about 23.18 lakh seedlings were raised/planted. Soil and moisture conservation works and other restoration measures were also undertaken in accordance with the approved Annual Plans of Operation. (c) Non-Timber Forest Produce (NTFP) collection, value addition, processing and marketing support are being promoted through community-based institutions such as Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMCs), Eco-Development Committees (EDCs), VanaSurakshya Samitis (VSSs) and Self Help Groups (SHGs) under various forest development programmes. These institutions facilitate sustainable harvesting, aggregation, processing and livelihood enhancement for forest-dependent communities. In addition, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, through the Van Dhan Vikas Yojana, supports tribal communities by promoting value addition, processing and marketing of NTFPs, including herbal and other forest produce-based enterprises. Efforts are being continued to strengthen community-based forest livelihoods and enhance income opportunities from NTFP resources in the region. (d) The management of wildlife including mitigation of human-animal conflicts is primarily the responsibility of the concerned State Government/UT Territory Administration. The State Government/UT administrations are the first responders to any conflict situation and they maintain the details of the conflict along with the species involved. Ministry has issued advisories and guidelines to manage human-wildlife negative interactions through interdepartmental coordination actions besides adherence to SOPs in this regard. Use of technological aids are used to strengthen these interventions. *****