Parliament Question: Underutilization of Funds

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3872 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.03.2026 Underutilization of Funds 3872. SHRI SURESH KUMAR SHETKAR: Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state: (a) whether the funds allocated for urban afforestation under Central schemes remain underutilised, if so, the details of funds utilised and the reasons for under utilisation of said funds; (b) whether monitoring mechanisms exist to verify survival of planted saplings beyond plantation announcements, if so, the details thereof; (c) whether encroachment and illegal land-use change have reduced green zones in the National Capital Region, if so, the enforcement action taken in this regard; (d) whether climate resilience and heat mitigation strategies include mandatory urban forest creation, if so, the details thereof; (e) whether pollution-control measures focusing only on emergency restrictions have failed without long-term ecological planning and if so, the Government’s response thereto; and (f) whether similar green cover crises exist in other metropolitan cities, if so, the details of assessment conducted city-wise? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH) (a) & (b) The Nagar Van Yojana (NVY) was launched for afforestation in urban and peri- urban areas through the creation of Nagar Vans and Nagar Vatikas in cities having Municipal Corporations, Municipal Councils, Municipalities or other Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), with the objective of enhancing green cover and biodiversity, and providing recreational spaces to urban residents. The scheme is implemented by the State Forest Departments with financial assistance from the National Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (National CAMPA). Details of funds released under the scheme are given in Annexure-I. Monitoring of plantations is undertaken through field inspections and inter- circle verification by State/UT officials, submission of physical and financial progress reports, geo-tagged photographs and .kml files, and third-party audits. Corrective maintenance, where required, is undertaken by the concerned State/UT authorities based on survival assessments. Forest resources and tree cover in the country are also assessed periodically by the Forest Survey of India(FSI), using satellite data and field-based information. The results are published biennially in the India State of Forest Report (ISFR). In addition to these, several States/UTs have also developed online monitoring systems. (c) Protection of land, including prevention of encroachment on green zones and forest land, falls within the jurisdiction of the respective State Governments and Union Territory Administrations. Detection and removal of encroachments, across the country is a continuous process undertaken by the concerned authorities in accordance with applicable laws, including the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, the Indian Forest Act, 1927, and other relevant statutes. The Central Government issues guidelines and advisories from time to time for protection and conservation of forest and green areas. (d) & (e) Climate resilience and heat mitigation are addressed through various policies and programmes promoting urban green spaces and tree plantation, including initiatives such as the Nagar Van Yojana and other urban greening efforts undertaken by States/UTs and Urban Local Bodies. The Government adopts a multi-pronged approach for prevention, control and abatement of pollution through regulatory, technological and ecosystem-based measures. Emergency measures are implemented during severe pollution episodes and complement long-term policy interventions. (f) Forest and tree cover in the country, including urban and peri-urban areas, is assessed periodically by the Forest Survey of India (FSI) through the India State of Forest Report (ISFR) using satellite imagery and field verification. As per ISFR 2023, the overall forest and tree cover in the country shows an increasing trend. The Ministry does not maintain separate city-wise assessment of green cover for metropolitan cities. Enhancement of urban green spaces is promoted through initiatives such as the Nagar Van Yojana and other afforestation and urban greening efforts undertaken by States/UTs and Urban Local Bodies. *****Annexure-I Annexure referred to in reply of part (a) & (b) of the Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 3872 regarding ‘Underutilization of Funds’ raised by Shri Suresh Kumar Shetkar due for reply on 16.03.2026. 1st No. of 2nd Total No. of Total Total instalment Projects instalment cost Projects for funds Financial area funds for which funds approved which 1st released Year approved released 2nd released (Rs. in instalment (Rs. in (Ha) (Rs. in instalment (Rs. in lakhs) released lakhs) lakhs) released lakhs) 2020-21 325 1333.80 10 933.66 0 0 933.66 2021-22 3816.85 15237.35 150 10693.86 1 61.59 10755.45 2022-23 3522.48 12639.10 165 8847.43 0 0 8847.43 2023-24 3119.52 12038.27 94 8426.80 28 880.101 9306.90 2024-25 4852.38 15551.63 127 10886.14 79 3054.43 13940.57 2025-26 2882.081 9815.32 81 6895.22 73 2058.196 8953.41 *****