New Nagar Van Scheme will aid in setting up urban forests in cities: Javadekar

NEW DELHI: Prakash Javadekar, Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India, said that the new Nagar Van Scheme will assist in building of Urban forests in cities.

Javadekar, in a message on the occasion of the International Day of Forest on Sunday, March 21, said that the scheme will also fill the gap between cities and villages in terms of having their own forest cover. He also referred to the country’s ancient tradition of developing and caring for village forests in the vicinity of almost every rural patch.Under the Nagar Van Scheme, urban forests will be developed in 200 cities in its first phase. Nagar Van Scheme, or Urban Forest Scheme, was launched by Javadekar in June 5, 2020, on the occasion of World Environment Day.

The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed March 21 as the International Day of Forests in 2012. The Day celebrates and raises awareness of the importance of all types of forests.

Javadekar also requested the citizens of the country and organisations to create a mass movement towards conservation of forest and rejuvenation of our rivers.Addressing an event in Bengaluru, Javadekar applauded the efforts of Karnataka in intensifying the forest cover.

He also added that to decrease animal-human conflicts, water and fodder, the forest programme has been set up.One forest in every state will be selected under this programme and with the assistance of drone mapping, water conservation and tree plantation will be taken up.