Parliament Question: Plantation Projects in Punjab

OIH GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2731 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.03.2026 Plantation Projects in Punjab 2731. SHRI SHER SINGH GHUBAYA: Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state: a) the details of the plantation projects for pollution control and environmental conservation in the Firozpur, Guru Har Sahai, Fazilka, Abohar, Malout and Sri Muktsar Sahib regions of Punjab; b) the time by which the said projects are likely to be sanctioned and implemented at the ground level; and c) whether any special green plan has been formulated for the said border and pollution affected areas?? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH) (a) to (c) Afforestation, tree plantation and ecological restoration activities for improvement of environmental quality and pollution mitigation are undertaken by the Government through various Central and State Government programmes including the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA), the National Mission for a Green India (GIM), etc; and other forestry schemes implemented by the State Forest Departments. These programmes support plantations on forest land, institutional land, roadside strips and other suitable areas to increase green cover and improve environmental conditions. Across the country including in Punjab, plantation and afforestation activities are undertaken through the CAMPA, National Mission for a Green India (GIM), Nagar Van Yojana, etc. The Annual Plans of Operation under the schemes provide for activitiessuch as compensatory afforestation, assisted natural regeneration, plantations on degraded forest areas, and related ecological restoration works. Specific plantation projects in districts including Firozpur, Fazilka, Sri Muktsar Sahib and adjoining regions are taken up by the State Government as per Working Plan prescriptions and approved forestry programmes based on the availability of land, technical feasibility and funds. Such activities include plantations along roads, canals and institutional lands, development of forest blocks and ecological restoration measures aimed at improving environmental quality and increasing green cover in Punjab. There is no proposal with the Ministry for a separate or specific special green plan exclusively for the border areas. However, the Ministry continues to support plantation and afforestation activities for environmental conservation and pollution mitigation undertaken by the State Government under various forestry and ecological restoration programmes. ********** .