Social Forestry Scheme Nagar Van Yojana
Context:
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change provides funding under the Nagar Van Yojna to support the development and enhancement of green belts in urban areas, aiding states in their efforts to strengthen existing green spaces.
About Nagar Van Yojana:
- Nagar Van Yojana envisages creating 1000 Nagar Van / Nagar Vatika in Cities having Municipal Corporation/Municipal council/Municipality/Urban Local Bodies (ULBs).
- For providing a wholesome healthy living environment for the residents and thus contributing to growth of clean, green, healthy and sustainable cities.
- Nagar Van is supported by CAMPA funds.
Objectives:
- Creating green space and aesthetic environment in an urban set up.
- Creating awareness about plants and biodiversity.
- Facilitating in-situ conservation of important flora of the region.
- Contributing to environmental improvement of cities by pollution mitigation, providing cleaner air, noise reduction, water harvesting and reduction of heat islands effect.
- Extending health benefits to residents of the city and
- Helping cities become climate resilient.
About Social Forestry:
- Social forestry is characterised as “Forestry by the people, for the people, and of the people.”
- It involves the management and preservation of forests and the afforestation of barren lands, with a primary focus on environmental, social, and rural development, rather than just revenue generation.
- The term was introduced in 1976 by the National Commision on Agriculture.
Advantages of Social Forestry:
- Increased area under tree cover.
- Increased production of industrial timbers, firewood and fodder.
- Increased employment opportunities for the rural poor.
Other government schemes to enhance Social Forestry:
- The National Forest Policy 1988 envisages to have a minimum of 33% of the total land area of the country under forest or tree cover (presently it is around 25%).
- National Afforestation Programme (NAP):The National Afforestation Programme (NAP) aims to restore degraded forests and enhance forest resources with community involvement, focusing on improving livelihoods for forest-fringe communities.
- Green India Mission (GIM):One of the eight Missions outlined under the National Action Plan on Climate Change.
Compensatory Afforestation Funds under Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA):
The Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act, 2016 (CAF Act) provides the legal framework for compensating the loss of forest and ecosystem services due to diversion of forest land for non-forestry purposes as per provisions of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980.
