Question raised in Lok Sabha on Forest Areas, 08/12/2015. The Forest Survey of India (FSI), Dehradun assesses the forest cover of the country at the interval of two years. As per India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2013, there is a net increase of 5871 sq km. in the forest cover as compared to the previous assessment of 2011, which can be attributed to afforestation, conservation measures, management interventions etc. The State-wise details of forest cover are given in Annexure-I.

Question raised in Lok Sabha on Clearance for Hydro Power Projects, 08/12/2015. Twenty one (21) hydro power projects have been granted environment clearance during
the last 3 years including current year. No hydropower project has been granted environmental clearance in the State of Uttarakhand during the said period. The list of these 21 projects is annexed.

Question raised in Lok Sabha on Acquisition of Forest Land, 08/12/2015. State wise details of area approved under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 by the Central Government for various developmental activities during the last three years i.e. 2012 to 2014 and current year is given at Annexure-I.

Question raised in Lok Sabha on Biodiversity Areas, 08/12/2015. Details of funds released to State/ UT Governments under these Centrally Sponsored Schemes of ‘Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats’ (IDWH) ‘Project Tiger’ and ‘Project Elephant’ during 2014-15 is given in the Annexure.

Question raised in Lok Sabha on Tribal population, 07/12/2015. Based on Census 2011, conducted by the Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India, State/ UT -wise details of population of Scheduled Tribes (ST) and their percentage in each State/ UT are given at Annexure.