Parliament Question: Forest Cover in Churu

OIH GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1313 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.07.2026 Forest Cover in Churu 1313. SHRI RAHUL KASWAN: Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state: (a) whether the forest cover in Churu, Rajasthan is nearly 0.6 per cent, which is extremely poor as compared to the national average, if so, the details of the Schemes proposed for increasing forest cover in the region; (b) the details of the projects sanctioned, financial assistance provided, saplings planted and forest area developed in Rajasthan, particularly in Churu, under the Green India Mission, National Afforestation Programme, the Nagar Van Yojana, the Desertification Prevention Programme along with other schemes during the last five years; (c) whether the Government has formulated any special action plan or district-specific green development programme, if so, the details thereof; and (d) whether the Government is contemplating any special project to increase the land forest cover in Churu by planting trees on forest land, gram panchayats, grazing land along with the public land in the next ten years, if so, the details thereof? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH) (a) to (d) Churu district falls in the semi-arid region of Rajasthan, characterised by low rainfall, limited water availability and sparse natural vegetation, afforestation and eco-restoration activities are undertaken using suitable native and drought-tolerant species. Churu is also home to the ecologically important Tal Chhapar Wildlife Sanctuary, and the Ministry has notified its Eco-Sensitive Zone to strengthen the protection and conservation of its unique grassland ecosystem and associated biodiversity. As per the India State of Forest Report (ISFR), 2023, the forest cover in Churu district of Rajasthan is 62.73 sq. km., which is 0.45% of the geographical area of the district. The forest cover of the country is 21.76% of its geographical area, while the forest cover of the State of Rajasthan is 4.84% of its geographical area. The protection and management of forests are primarily the responsibility of the respective State Governments/Union Territory Administrations. The Ministry supports the States/UTs in increasing forest and tree cover through various Centrally Sponsored Schemes and programmes, including the Green India Mission, Nagar Van Yojana and CAMPA. Funds under the Green India Mission are released based on approved State Perspective Plans. Under the Nagar Van Yojana, the Ministry has approved 55 projects covering 1,855.18 hectares in Rajasthan. Of these, three Nagar Van projects covering 140 hectares have been approved in Churu district. ******