New Delhi: The Union environment ministry on Wednesday said it will help promote urban greenery and sensitise school children to the need for environmental conservation in initiatives that will cost at least Rs.162 crore.
The ministry also cleared a Rs.20 crore programme to save endangered species like the Gangetic dolphin, Great Indian bustard, Manipur brow antler deer (sangai) and wild water buffalo. The decisions were taken in a meeting of the 6th meeting of the National CAMPA (Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority) Advisory Council (NCAC).
The council also allocated Rs.5 crore for a biomass power plant in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
”Unspent funds of Rs.250 crore had got accumulated over the last five years and today the Council has allocated Rs.162 crore for various programmes like urban forestry, school nursery programme, protection of endangered species and protection of mangroves,” said minister for environment, forests and climate change Prakash Javadekar after the meeting in Delhi.
The urban forestry programme cleared by NCAC is a pilot project wherein it envisages creation of city forests under 200 municipal bodies.
