Forest Development Programme
The Ministry of Environment and Forests provides funds for forest development programme under National Afforestation Programme and Intensification of Forest Management Schemes. Details of the funds released under these schemes during last three years and the current year in the country including Assam is given in Annexure I and II. The funds are also provided for development of forest villages by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. There are 2474 forest villages or habitations in the country and so far proposals covering 2413 forest villages or habitations in 12 States including Assam have been approved .The state wise details of projects approved by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and the funds released during last three years and the current year is given in Annexure III.Under the programme for development of forest villages, infrastructure work relating to basic services and facilities viz. approach road, health care, primary education, minor irrigation, rain water harvesting, drinking water, sanitation, community hall and activities related to livelihood are taken up for implementation which benefits all the families. The Government of India considers support to the development of forest villages on the basis of the proposals received from the state. The funding of the remaining forest villages would also be based on such proposals.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Environment and Forests (Independent Charge) Shri Jairam Ramesh, in a written reply to a question by Shri Badruddin Ajmal in Lok Sabha today.
KP