India 2018

Environment 199
microbes for which no information is available and of unexplored and underexplored
areas; taxonomic analysis of collections made; biosystematics research
for the groups which require modern tools for refinement of taxonomy especially
of economically important groups.
Assistance to Botanic Gardens
The scheme on Assistance to Botanic Gardens was initiated in 1992 to augment
facilities for ex-situ conservation of rare, endangered threatened and endemic
plants. The objectives of the scheme include ex-situ conservation of indigenous;
particularly RET species and their multiplication; establishment of seed banks,
arboreta and mist propagation facilities; promotion of education and public
awareness in respect of above said plants; and reintroduction and rehabilitation
of said plants in natural habitats in collaboration with state forest department
on project basis.
Forest Conservation
The mandate of the Forest Conservation Division is to regulate the diversion of
forest land for non-forestry purposes through effective implementation of the
Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980. The proposals seeking prior approval of the
central government for diversion of forest land for non-forestry purposes are
examined at different levels as per procedure defined under the Forest
(Conservation) Rules, 2003 including the Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) or
the State Advisory Committee (SAC). The Ministry takes decision on diversion
of forest land for non-forestry purposes, stipulating appropriate mitigative
measures. The considerations of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 pertain to
the floral and faunal significance of the forest land proposed to be diverted,
feasible alternatives, number and nature of beneficiaries and nature and extent
of the benefits likely to accrue from the proposed diversion.
Forest Establishment
The Forest Establishment Division is handling the establishment matters relating
to the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE), an
autonomous organisation under the Ministry and its institutes/centres, Forest
Survey of India (FSI) and its regional centres; National Zoological Park (NZP);
Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) and its Regional Offices; Indira Gandhi
National Forest Academy (IGNFA); Directorate of Forest Education (DFE),
central academies (3) and ranger college.
Strengthening of Forests Division
The Government of India had set up five regional offices of the MoEF&CC at
Bengaluru, Bhopal, Bhubaneshwar, Lucknow and Shillong with a headquarters
unit at New Delhi to monitor and evaluate ongoing forestry development
projects and schemes with special emphasis on conservation of forest land and
to advise the state/union territory governments in preparation of proposals
involving diversion of forest land for non-forestry purposes under the provisions
of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980.