**Summary:**
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change introduced the Green Credit Scheme (GCS) under the Green Credit Rules, 2023, notified on October 12, 2023, under the Environment Protection Act, 1986. This scheme encourages voluntary environmental positive actions, specifically tree plantation and eco-restoration on degraded land managed by Forest Departments, resulting in the issuance of Green Credits. The methodology for calculating green credits for tree plantation was published on February 22, 2024. The Green Credit Programme (GCP) encourages entities to generate green credits by undertaking plantation/eco-restoration, with State Forest Departments executing these activities on selected land parcels. Green credits are generated upon completion of plantation/eco-restoration within two years. Seventeen State Forest Departments are participating as implementing agencies. As of July 21, 2025, 57,986 hectares of degraded land have been registered under the program, including 1811 hectares in the state of Gujarat.
Key Entities Referenced
Green Credit Scheme: A special scheme announced by the Government related to Green Credits.
SHRI PARSHOTTAMBHAI RUPALA: Member of Parliament who asked the question regarding the Green Credit Scheme.
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE: The government ministry responsible for the Green Credit Scheme.
SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH: Minister of State in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
Green Credit Rules, 2023: Rules notified by the Central Government to encourage voluntary environmental actions resulting in issuance of Green Credits.
Environment Protection Act, 1986: The act under which the Green Credit Rules, 2023 were notified.
Gujarat: A state in India where degraded land has been registered under the Green Credit Programme.
Green Credit Programme: A program for generating green credits through plantation and ecorestoration on degraded lands.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 193
TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.07.2025
Green Credit Scheme
193. SHRI PARSHOTTAMBHAI RUPALA:
Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to
state:
(a) whether the Government has announced any special scheme of Green Credit and if so,
the details thereof;
(b) whether the horticulture is also entitled along with sustainable farming under the said
Scheme and if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the details of projects sanctioned including the progress achieved in this regard in the
State of Gujarat so far?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND
CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)
(a) to (c) 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. To begin with, voluntary tree plantation/eco-restoration is envisaged
on degraded land under the control and management of Forest Departments.
The Ministry published Notification for methodology for calculation of
green credit in respect of tree plantation on 22nd February 2024.
As per the notification, plantation/eco-restoration is to be undertaken on
degraded land parcels under the control and management of Forest
Departments. GCP envisages to encourage entities to generate green credits
through undertaking plantation/eco-restoration. State Forest Department will
undertake plantation/eco-restoration on land parcels selected by entities. The
green credits will be generated on completion of plantation/eco-restoration
within a period of two years.
Under the Green Credit Programme, 17 State Forest Departments are
participating as implementing agencies, and have registered 57,986 hectares
of degraded land, of which 1811 hectares of degraded land has been
registered in Gujarat.
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