Parliament Question: Green Credit Programme

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2328 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.08.2026 Green Credit Programme 2328. SHRI BHARTRUHARI MAHTAB: SHRI DINESHBHAI MAKWANA: SHRI BALABHADRA MAJHI: SHRI DILIP SAIKIA: SHRI HARIBHAI PATEL: SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO: SHRI TEJASVI SURYA: SHRI LUMBARAM CHOUDHARY: SHRI P C MOHAN: SHRI DAMODAR AGRAWAL: SMT. KAMLESH JANGDE: SHRI KHAGEN MURMU: SHRI SATISH KUMAR GAUTAM: SHRI RAVINDRA SHUKLA ALIAS RAVI KISHAN: SHRI MANOJ TIWARI: SHRI JANARDAN MISHRA: SHRI BHARATSINHJI SHANKARJI DABHI: SHRI BIBHU PRASAD TARAI: DR. SANJAY JAISWAL: Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has assessed the ecological outcomes and environmental benefits achieved since the operationalisation of the Green Credit Programme and, if so, the key findings thereof, including the progress made in Nabarangpur Lok Sabha Constituency; (b) whether the Government has developed a framework for monitoring, verification and long-term ecological assessment of activities carried out under the Green Credit Programme and, if so, the details thereof, including its implementation in the said Constituency; (c) whether the Government proposes to expand the Green Credit Programme beyond tree plantation and water conservation to other environmental sectors, if so, the details thereof; and (d) whether the said Constituency is proposed to be covered under such initiatives and if so, the details thereof, including the proposed activities and expected benefits for it?ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH) (a) to The Green Credit Programme is an innovative mechanism to incentivise (d) environmentally positive actions and to promote the objectives of Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) movement, which aims at encouraging sustainable lifestyles by driving community towards behavioural changes that support environment-friendly actions. The Green Credit Programme aims to increase green cover, enhance carbon sequestration, restore degraded lands and reduce carbon footprint through the adoption of environment-friendly technologies and practices. The Central Government has notified Green Credit Rules, 2023 on 12th October 2023 under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 to encourage voluntary environmental positive actions resulting in issuance of Green Credits. Under the Green Credit Programme, the modality for tree plantation and eco-restoration of degraded forest lands has been notified on 22nd February 2024 and subsequently revised on 29th August 2025. A Green Credit Programme Portal (https://moefcc- gcp.in/) has been developed for the purpose. The Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education, Dehradun is the Administrator under the Green Credit Programme and is responsible for the effective implementation of the Programme, including its management, operation and issuance of green credits. The Green Credit Programme aims to restore degraded forest lands through the active participation of public and private sector entities. The degraded forest land parcels proposed to be taken up under the Green Credit Programme are selected and registered by the State Forest Department after due verification on the ground. The Green Credits can be claimed by an applicant only after minimum five years of restoration work have been completed and a minimum canopy density of forty per cent has been achieved. A five-year establishment period is prescribed to allow the planted seedlings and natural regenerations to mature and develop adequate canopy cover, so as to achieve the prescribed 40 per cent canopy density, corresponding to a moderately dense forest. The forest restoration activities undertaken under the programme aim to enhance biodiversity and improve the productivity of forest resources. The restoration of degraded forest lands aims to benefit local communities by increasing the availability of timber, non-timber forest produce, fodder, water, and other ecosystem services. The "designated agency" designated under the Green Credit Programme shall conduct verification of the claim for the Green Credits and submit report to the Administrator as regard to the verification of the activities undertaken by an applicant for issuance of green credit.A comprehensive Manual on Monitoring and Reporting of Restoration Activities under the Green Credit Programme to facilitate effective implementation and monitoring of the programme. As on date, there is no land parcel registered on the GCP Portal under Green Credit Programme by the Odisha Forest Department in Nabarangpur Lok Sabha Constituency *****