- By Kamakshi Bishnoi
- Tue, 06 May 2025 10:40 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
The Uttar Pradesh government has initially identified 884 hectares across 31 forest divisions for afforestation under the central government's Green Credit Program. 67 sites have been marked and uploaded to a web portal.
Private industries, companies, and individuals can adopt these sites for afforestation and earn green credits. In the first phase, NTPC in Sonbhadra adopted 27.2 hectares and Northern Coalfields in Mirzapur adopted 5.87 hectares, contributing Rs 50.57 lakh to the forest department.
The Green Credit Program allows individuals and organisations to plant trees on degraded land like open forests, shrublands, barren lands, and catchment areas, and earn green credits. Industrial houses can use their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds for this purpose. So far, 884 hectares across 67 sites have been identified in the state.
The forest department has approved 525 hectares across 49 sites. 34 sites await approval due to pending financial estimations. Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Planning), Ram Kumar, stated that industries can use their CSR funds for afforestation under the Green Credit Programme.
The forest department maintains a list of sites available for adoption. The Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education, Dehradun, under the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, manages this program. The earned green credits will offer various benefits in the future.