Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change addressed questions regarding tree plantation initiatives along National Highways and the Narmada River, as well as broader environmental protection efforts. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) conducts annual plantations, and while there's no specific scheme for the Narmada River, afforestation is supported through various government schemes. The government employs a multifaceted approach to environmental protection, integrating climate action, biodiversity conservation, and ecosystem restoration.
Key Points / Main Content:
National Highway Plantations:
* NHAI plants trees according to the Green Highways Plantation, Transplantation, Beautification & Maintenance Policy 2015.
* Plantations follow agroclimatic zone guidelines (IRC:SP:21-2009).
* NHAI has planted 469.75 lakh saplings from 2015-16 to 2024-25.
Narmada River Plantations:
* No exclusive central scheme exists for Narmada River plantations.
* The Government provides funds to States/UTs under schemes like CAMPA, MISHTI, and Nagar Van for afforestation, including along river banks.
* Rs. 70 crore approved under CAMPA for "Aviral Nirmal Narmada" in Madhya Pradesh, targeting 5,600 ha of land along the Narmada River.
Environmental Protection Measures:
* The Government undertakes steps to protect the environment by reducing emissions, combating land degradation, restoring ecosystems and enriching biodiversity
* The National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) provides an overarching framework.
* Renewable energy expansion reduces fossil fuel dependence.
* The National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) guides conservation.
* Afforestation is undertaken under Nagar Van Yojana, CAMPA etc
* Wildlife conservation is supported through projects like Project Tiger and Project Elephant.
* Wetland and coastal ecosystem restoration is undertaken, including mangrove restoration under MISHTI.
* The National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) aims for air quality improvement.
* Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) promotes waste management and circular economy.
* The Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign led to 142 crore saplings planted by March 2025.
* Protected areas have increased to 1,022.
* Forest and tree cover spans 25.17% of the country’s area, creating a carbon sink of 2.29 billion tonnes CO2 equivalent.
Impact Analysis
National Highways Authority of India (NHAI):
Impact: Responsible for carrying out plantations along National Highways as per policy guidelines and the Annual Plantation Action Plan.
Action Required: Continue implementing plantation activities according to the Green Highways Policy and IRC guidelines, ensuring alignment with agroclimatic zones.
State Governments/Union Territories:
Impact: Can receive funds from the central government for afforestation activities, including plantations along the Narmada River and other river banks, through various schemes.
Action Required: Utilize available funds from schemes like CAMPA, MISHTI, and Nagar Van to implement afforestation projects, particularly along river banks, and coordinate with relevant authorities for project implementation.
Citizens:
Impact: Benefit from improved environment through afforestation, wildlife conservation, and pollution reduction.
Action Required: Participate in environmental initiatives such as tree planting campaigns (e.g., Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam) and support sustainable practices to contribute to environmental protection.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change: The Indian government ministry responsible for environmental protection and climate change policies.
National Highways Authority of India: The agency responsible for the development, maintenance and management of National Highways in India.
Green Highways Plantation, Transplantation, Beautification Maintenance, Policy 2015: A policy mandating plantations along National Highways.
Narmada River: A major river in central India.
CAMPA: Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority. It manages funds for afforestation and environmental conservation activities.
MISHTI: Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes. A program for mangrove restoration.
Madhya Pradesh: A state in central India where the 'Aviral Nirmal Narmada' project is being implemented.
National Action Plan on Climate Change: An overarching framework by the Government of India to address climate change.
OIH
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.120
TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.07.2025
Tree Plantation Drive
120. SHRI DARSHAN SINGH CHOUDHARY:
Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to
state:
(a) whether the Government proposes to plant trees along the National Highways and if
so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the Government proposes to plant trees along the Narmada River and if so,
the details thereof; and
(c) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to protect the environment on a large
scale?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND
CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)
(a) The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) carries out plantations according to
mandate of Green Highways (Plantation, Transplantation, Beautification &
Maintenance), Policy-2015 following the guidelines and species matrix according to
agro-climatic zone of the project area as defined in IRC: SP:21-2009 guidelines. The
plantations are being done every year by way of Annual Plantation Action Plan. So far
469.75 lakh saplings have been planted by NHAI in avenues and medians of National
Highways during the period 2015-16 to 2024-25.
(b) There is no exclusive scheme of the Government of India for plantation of trees along the
Narmada River. However, the Government of India provides funds to the States/UTs for
afforestation under several schemes e.g. CAMPA, MISHTI, Nagar Van, etc., in addition
to the State budget allocations, for carrying out plantations including along the river
banks including Narmada. An amount of Rs. 70 crore under Compensatory Afforestation
Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) has been approved for
implementation of ‘Aviral Nirmal Narmada' in Madhya Pradesh for plantation on 5,600
ha of land along the Narmada River.
(c) The Government has been undertaking a number of steps to protect the environment
through reducing emissions, combat land degradation, restore ecosystems and enrich
biodiversity as part of its holistic approach to conservation.. The National Action Plan on
Climate Change (NAPCC) provides the overarching framework, supported by missions
like Green India for enhancing carbon sinks and restoring degraded ecosystems.Renewable energy expansion reduces fossil fuel dependence, while the National
Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP), guides conservation of ecosystems and
land restoration. Soil health is promoted through sustainable practices and soil health
cards. Afforestation is undertaken under Nagar Van Yojana, CAMPA etc, while wildlife
conservation is supported through species specific projects like Project Tiger and Project
Elephant and the Centrally Sponsored Scheme, Integrated Development of Wildlife
Habitat. Wetland and coastal ecosystem restoration, including mangrove restoration
under Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes (MISHTI),
contributes to biodiversity and climate resilience. Additional efforts include the National
Clean Air Programme (NCAP) for air quality improvement and the Extended Producer
Responsibility (EPR) framework for waste management and circular economy
promotion. The ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign has led to 142 crore saplings planted
by March 2025. Protected areas have increased to 1,022, including 220 community
reserves, 57 tiger reserves, and 33 elephant reserves. Forest and tree cover spans 25.17%
of the country’s area, with a carbon sink of 2.29 billion tonnes CO₂ equivalent created.
Environmental protection and management is thus achieved through a multi-pronged
approach involving legislative, regulatory and administrative measures which integrate
climate action, biodiversity conservation, and ecosystem restoration.
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