Schemes for Environmental Conservation

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change is implementing National River Conservation Programme, sub-schemes of Conservation of Natural Resources and Eco-Systems, National Afforestation Programme & Green India Mission, National Coastal Management Programme, National Mission on Himalayan Studies under Climate Change Program under the Central Sector & Centrally Sponsored Schemes of Government of India.

These schemes act as remedial measures for conservation of environment and sustainable development of various ecosystems. The umbrella Scheme on Conservation of Natural Resources and Eco-systems through its different sub-schemes formulated for protection of corals, mangroves, biosphere reserves, wetlands and lakes conserve the natural resources and these eco-systems of the country. The sub-scheme of National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems aims at conservation of all aquatic eco-systems including lakes and wetlands of the country. National Afforestation Program and Green India Mission contribute towards regeneration of degraded forests and their adjoining areas in the country. National River Conservation Program facilitates in improving water quality of polluted stretches of rivers by preventing pollution loads reaching the rivers through various pollution abatement works. National Coastal Management Programme ensures livelihood security to fishing and other local communities to conserve and protect coastal stretches and promotes coastal development based on scientific principles. National Mission on Himalayan Studies aims at focusing on conservation of Himalayan Ecosystem and sustainable development of the Indian Himalayan Region. The Ministry also monitors implementation of United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and has been carrying out enabling activities and other obligations of the Convention. The program aims at networking and forging strategic partnerships among relevant Scientific Institutions and stakeholders for enhancing knowledge data base and scientific inputs in reporting and revising desertification and land degradation. Collection, collation and storage of subject specific database on environmental issues for future retrieval and dissemination to all concerned for sustainable quality of life for future generations, is achieved through an Environmental Information System (ENVIS) Program of the Ministry.

The funding under the Central Sector Schemes is 100 percent from the Government of India. Under the Centrally Sponsored Schemes, as per the revised funding pattern from 2015- 16 onwards, the Government of India’s share is 50 percent for rest of India and 80 percent for the North Eastern States and 3 Himalayan States i.e Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand in environment sector. The share of the Government of India is 60 percent for rest of India in the schemes related to forestry and wildlife and 90 percent in respect of North Eastern States and 3 Himalayan States.

This information was given by Minister of State (Independent Charge) of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Anil Madhav Dave, in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.