Haryana's Green India Mission Plan 2024-25 Gets Approval

Haryana's Annual Plan of Operation for the Green India Mission, targeting Shivalik and plain areas, receives approval with a budget of Rs 115.39 crores for 2024-25.

Under the leadership of Haryana Chief Secretary TVSN Prasad, the Annual Plan of Operation for the Green India Mission for the financial year 2024-25 received approval. This decision was made during a meeting of the State Forest Development Agency's Steering Committee for the National Afforestation Program. The plan targets both Shivalik and plain areas in Haryana.

The Shivalik area encompasses three districts: Panchkula, Yamunanagar, and Ambala. Meanwhile, the plain area includes 11 districts: Kurukshetra, Karnal, Panipat, Sonipat, Jhajjar, Rohtak, Jind, Hisar, Fatehabad, Sirsa, and Kaithal. The scheme aims to expand forest cover, enhance ecosystem services, and promote agroforestry and social forestry.

The committee sanctioned a budget of Rs 115.39 crores for the Annual Plan of Operation (APO) for 2024-25. Of this amount, Rs 85.34 crores are allocated for plain areas and Rs 30.05 crores for Shivalik areas. This financial support is crucial for achieving the mission's objectives.

During the meeting, it was highlighted that the Green India Mission has made notable strides in Haryana. The focus is on Shivalik and plain areas as part of a landscape-based planning and implementation strategy. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has approved a perspective plan for these regions and provided necessary funds.

In the Shivalik region during 2022-23, a total area of 1,706 hectares was targeted and successfully achieved. This included pre-treatment works in 800 hectares and creation activities in 906 hectares. Specific divisions like Yamunanagar, Ambala, and Morni-Pinjore met their targets effectively.

The Yamunanagar division achieved pre-treatment works in 178 hectares and creation activities in 381 hectares. Similar successes were recorded in Ambala and Morni-Pinjore divisions. These efforts have significantly contributed to the overall progress in the region.

Progress in Plain Areas

In the plain areas during 2022-23, a total targeted area of 1,204 hectares was set with an achievement of 978.5 hectares. This included pre-treatment works in 540 hectares and creation activities in 427 hectares. Divisions like Kaithal, Jind, and Sonipat have shown remarkable progress.

The Kaithal division completed pre-treatment works in 132 hectares and creation works in 65 hectares. Jind division achieved pre-treatment works in 52 hectares and creation works in 220 hectares. Other divisions such as Panipat, Karnal, Jhajjar, Rohtak, and Kurukshetra also made significant contributions to the mission's goals.

The achievements underline Haryana's commitment to sustainable forest management and ecosystem restoration. The Green India Mission continues to make significant progress through its landscape-based planning approach.