Green Cover of Sahyadri Mountain in Maharashtra

In the Sahyadri Mountain Range, there are a total of 699 Village Forest Committees which includes tribals and other weaker sections of the society. The Ministry of Environment & Forest has sanctioned an outlay of Rs.1575.93 lakhs under this programme for the year 2010-11 for the Forest Development Agencies in the Sahyadri Mountain in Maharashtra. In the National Afforestation Programme, Afforestation is done through People’s participation through the Joint Forest Management Committees or Village Forest Committees at the Village Level.

The Ministry of Environment and Forests has no specific programme for the maintenance of green cover of Sahyadri Mountain in Maharashtra. However, the Ministry of Environment & Forests is implementing the National Afforestation Programme for afforestation and eco-restoration of the degraded forests in the country and adjoining areas. The scheme is implemented through the State Forest Development Agency at the State Level, Forest Development Agencies at the Forest Division Level and Joint Forest Management Committees at the village level. The Forest Divisions in the Sahyadri Mountains in Maharashtra are also funded in this programme.