Meghalaya misses Green Mission bus

SHILLONG: Meghalaya was not considered for the National Mission for a Green India (GIM) falling under the Environment Ministry.
The second meeting of National Executive Council (NEC) of the National Mission for a Green India (GIM) held here recently approved the Perspective Plans & Annual Plan of Operations (APOs) submitted by four States – Mizoram, Manipur, Jharkhand and Kerala.
However sources said that Meghalaya failed to find a place in the list when two Northeastern states, Mizoram and Manipur have made it to the mission.
The Perspective Plans of all four States, with a total financial outlay of Rs. 90, 202.68 lakh for a Plan period of 5 to 10 years were approved, along with APOs of Rs.11, 195.32 lakh for this financial year.
The total forest and non-forest area taken up in these four States under GIM during the total plan period will be 1, 08, 335 hectares (ha) out of which 81, 939 ha will  be improving the density of existing forests and 16, 396 ha will be new areas.
For the current financial year, it will be 28, 250 ha and 7, 827 ha respectively. Approval has been granted for alternative energy devices such as biogas, solar devices, LPG, biomass-based systems and improved stoves for 27, 032 households for the current financial year and 81, 233 households for the total plan period.
This will help in reducing pressure on forests, gaining carbon benefits, along with health and other associated benefits.
GIM, one of the eight Missions outlined under the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), acknowledges the influence that forests have on environmental amelioration though climate change mitigation, food security, water security, biodiversity conservation and livelihood security of forest dependent communities.