SRINAGAR: In response to a question raised in the Lok Sabha, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has confirmed that Jammu and Kashmir has yet to be registered under the Green Credit Programme (GCP), a key initiative aimed at promoting voluntary environmental positive actions across the country. Despite the programme’s significant progress in various states, Jammu and Kashmir has failed to register any land parcels under the scheme.
The Green Credit Programme, launched in 2023, is designed to encourage sustainable environmental practices such as eco-restoration of degraded forest lands, renewable energy adoption, and waste reduction. Under the programme, land parcels identified for restoration and conservation can generate Green Credits, which are awarded based on environmental improvements. The scheme aims to generate a market-driven incentive for environmental stewardship, benefiting both public and private sector entities.
As of January 2025, the Green Credit Programme has seen significant uptake across India, with 17 state forest departments registering 2,451 land parcels, covering an area of over 56,741 hectares. States like Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu have made notable progress, registering large areas of degraded forest lands for restoration under the programme. Jharkhand, for example, has registered 339 land parcels, encompassing 5,537 hectares, while Madhya Pradesh has registered 313 land parcels, covering 15,128 hectares.
However, Jammu and Kashmir, which has vast forested areas, has not yet participated in the initiative. This delay in registration raises concerns about the region’s contribution to national environmental goals, especially as the Green Credit Programme is designed to address critical issues like deforestation and habitat loss.
Additionally, other regions, including Sambhajinagar in Maharashtra and Dadra and Nagar Haveli, have also not made significant progress in registering land parcels under the scheme. The lack of registration in these areas, along with Jammu and Kashmir’s omission, highlights the challenges in implementing the Green Credit Programme across different states and union territories.
The government has also outlined a framework for the registration, release of funds, and monitoring of works under the programme, which involves a dedicated online portal for tracking activities and awarding credits. The portal, launched in 2023, is expected to provide transparency and accountability in the execution of environmental projects.
While several states have made strides in utilizing the Green Credit Programme to advance sustainability, the government is working on creating awareness about the programme and encouraging more local bodies and communities to participate. As the programme progresses, it is expected to support key government objectives, including sustainable agriculture, renewable energy adoption, and waste reduction, contributing to India’s broader environmental and climate goals.
