Uttarakhand Green India Mission five-year plan estimated at Rs 559.16 crore

Uttarakhand's State Forest Development Agency (SFDA) has estimated the cost of its five-year perspective plan for the Green India Mission at Rs 559.16 crore, with livelihood and job creation as the main focus in the state.

The plan was reviewed at the agency's seventh state-level executive committee meeting on Wednesday, 21 October, chaired by R K Sudhanshu, principal secretary of the Forest and Environment Department. He said the government's aim is to create as many employment opportunities as possible within the state, and asked for a detailed action plan on livelihood work under the mission. He also called for planting sea-buckthorn in Van Panchayats and for an early meeting to discuss livelihood matters.

Green India Mission, Nagar Van Yojana and School Nursery Scheme are being run under SFDA, and the agency has been renewed for five more years, up to 2031. The meeting also reviewed the Central government's guidelines and documents for implementing the mission, which works through three sub-missions.

An annual operational plan of Rs 31.45 crore for July 2025 to May 2026, which leaves out new initiatives under the Green India Mission, has been sent to the Government of India. Once the funds are released, large-scale work will start to support local livelihoods. Forest Development Agency meetings are under way in all districts, and the Nodal Officer's suggestions on successful plantation drives have been passed on to every divisional forest officer.