Why in news?
• On June 5, 2020, the Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar launched the “Nagar Van” scheme. The scheme was launched to mark the Environment Day.
• The programme has been launched with 200 corporations and cities across India.
• The “Nagar Van” programme aims to develop 200 Urban Forests across India in next five years with the help of people’s participation and collaboration between Forest Department, Municipal bodies, NGOs, Corporates and local citizens.
Objectives:
• To create 200 City Forests in the Country. A City Forest will be developed in each City with Municipal Council.
• To create awareness on plants and biodiversity.
• Conservation education on important flora and fauna of the region including threat perception.
• Ecological rejuvenation of the cities-Forests the green lungs will contribute to Environmental improvement of cities by pollution mitigation, cleaner air, noise reduction, water harvesting and reduction of heat islands effect.
• In-situ Biodiversity conservation.
• Health benefits to citizens.
• Making cities climate resilient.
What are the Budgetary provision?
• The assistance is shared with concerned State in the ratio of 80:20.
• The Ministry provides one-time grant to the concerned State government/ City Local Authority/ land owning agency based on the work requirement subject to the maximum Grant of Rs. 2.00 crores per City Forest.
• The grant is made in two installments, first of 50% of the sanctioned amount after the approval of the project and remaining in second installment after 3/4th utilization of the first installment. The Concerned State Government/ Project Proponent is mandated to confirm availability of their share of 20% of the cost before submitting their proposal.
Some Facts & Figures:
• India has 8% of world biodiversity with only 2.5% of world land mass.
• It should also carry 16% of humans and cattle as well. Also, the fresh water availability in the second most populous country in the world is just 4%.
• Today the forest is rich in biodiversity. It has 23 plant species, 15 butterfly species, 29 bird species, 10 reptiles.
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