Dehradun, Oct 21 The Uttarakhand State Forest Development Agency held its seventh state-level executive committee meeting on Wednesday, where it reviewed the perspective plan for the Green India Mission (GIM) for the next five years and issued necessary directions.
Chairing the meeting, principal secretary for the Forest and Environment Department, R K Sudhanshu, said the government’s objective is to generate maximum employment opportunities within the state.
He directed that priority be given to activities focused on livelihood enhancement under the Green India Mission and requested a detailed action plan in this regard. He also called for the plantation of sea-buckthorn in Van Panchayats and a meeting at the earliest to discuss matters related to livelihood enhancement.
During the meeting, it was noted that the Green India Mission, Nagar Van Yojana, and School Nursery Scheme are currently being implemented under the State Forest Development Agency (SFDA).
The SFDA has been renewed for the next five years, up to 2031.
The meeting covered the Green India Mission’s perspective plan, the structure of the SFDA’s executive committee, and the guidelines and documents issued by the Central government for the mission’s implementation.
It was explained that the mission involves work across three sub-missions. The financial requirement for implementation of the current perspective plan was estimated at Rs 559.16 crore.
Compliance with directions issued at the sixth executive committee meeting was also reviewed.
It was reported that the Forest Development Agency meetings are being conducted across all districts. The suggestions provided by the Nodal Officer on successful plantation drives under the Green India Mission and other schemes were also communicated to all divisional forest officers.
At the meeting, it was informed that an annual operational plan — excluding new initiatives under the Green India Mission — totalling Rs 31.45 crore for July 2025 and May 2026 has been submitted to the Government of India. Once the funds are sanctioned and released, large-scale activities will be undertaken to support the livelihoods of local communities.
(PTI News)
