Centre releases Rs.25994.57 lakhs to Madhya Pradesh to develop forest villages

New Delhi, Mar 15 (ANI): Union Minister of State for Environment and Forests, Jairam Ramesh on Monday informed the Rajya Sabha, that the Centre has released Rs.25994.57 lakhs for forest villages development in Madhya Pradesh state.

Replying to a queation, Ramesh said, though there are 893 forest villages in Madhya Pradesh, the State Government has submitted a project proposal for 867 villages only.

However, Ramesh added that, the State Government has sent project proposal amounting to Rs.859.57 lakhs in respect of additional 28 forest villages, but the Centre did not approve the same, as these additional villages were not part of listed 893 forest villages.

Replying to another question, Ramesh said the Government is planning to launch a scheme for development of one million hectares of fringe forests and adjoining non forest lands in villages across the country.

Ramesh informed members, that a concept paper in the form of mini Detailed Project Report (DPR) has been formulated by the National Rainfed Areas Authority (NRAA) under Agriculture Ministry in consultation with Environment and Forests Ministry and state governments.(ANI)