NVY

The scheme aims to develop 400 Nagar Vans and 200 Nagar Vatikas to create bio-diverse green spaces in urban areas. The scheme provides a grant of ₹4,00,000/- per hectare to Municipalities, Urban Local Bodies, and Institutions for afforestation and biodiversity conservation.

The scheme "Nagar Van Yojana" was launched by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India. The scheme aims to develop 400 Nagar Vans and 200 Nagar Vatikas to create green spaces in urban areas by protecting land from degradation. The scheme provides a one-time development grant of ₹4,00,000/- per hectare up to a maximum of ₹2,00,00,000/- for 50 hectares to cover costs such as fencing, soil-moisture conservation, theme-based plantations, and maintenance of tree cover. The applicant must formulate a detailed project proposal, include a Keyhole Markup Language map on a 1:10,000 or larger scale, ensure a commitment to bear the balance cost, and submit the plan for the identified land. The scheme is implemented by the State Forest Department and the National Afforestation and Eco-Development Board. The applications for this scheme are accepted offline through the concerned State Forest Department offices.

• The applicant must be a Municipal Corporation, Municipal Council, Municipality, Urban Local Body, State Forest Department, Educational Institution, University, Government Organisation, or Non-Government Organisation.
• The applicant must have possession of the proposed land.
• The applicant must provide a commitment to bear the balance cost of the project beyond the provided grant.
• The applicant must ensure that the proposed area is situated on forest land or other vacant non-forest public land.
• The applicant must formulate a Development cum Management Plan with year-wise details of works under different components.

##### For Nagar Van

• The applicant must develop the Nagar Van over a minimum area of 10 hectares.
• The applicant must restrict the maximum area for grant calculation to 50 hectares.
• The applicant must ensure the site is located within a 5-kilometre limit of the Municipal Corporation, Municipal Council, or Municipality.
• The applicant must maintain a minimum of 2/3rd of the Nagar Van area under woodland or tree cover.

##### For Nagar Vatika

• The applicant must develop the Nagar Vatika in a minimum area of 1 hectare.
• The applicant must restrict the maximum area of the Nagar Vatika to 10 hectares.
• The applicant must ensure the site is located strictly within the city limits or congested parts of the cities.

##### Post-Selection Conditions

• The applicant must keep all Nagar Vans and Nagar Vatikas open and accessible to the city dwellers and general public, subject to suitable restrictions.
• The applicant should encourage a Public-Private Partnership mode to ensure the active participation of people, students, and other stakeholders in planning, implementation, and management.
• The applicant should select trees from species that are best suited for local conditions.
• The applicant should place an emphasis on enriching biodiversity, planting fruit-bearing trees, and cultivating medicinal plants.
• The applicant should ensure sufficient revenue generation for maintenance by levying user fees, receiving grants from other agencies, and promoting economic activities like the sale of saplings or processed forest products from the first year.
• The applicant should encourage the use of locally available material, energy conservation, and waste recycling.

• The Ministry will provide a one-time development and non-recurring grant of ₹4,00,000/- per hectare.
• The maximum financial assistance for a Nagar Van is limited to ₹2,00,00,000/- for 50 hectares.
• The State Forest Department is permitted to engage one technical consultant at a cost of ₹40,000/- per month until the completion of the project for monitoring and other works.
• The State Forest Department will receive a lump sum grant of ₹50,000/- per project for monitoring, evaluation, and meeting overhead expenses.

Mode of Disbursal: The funds will be released directly to the respective State Forest Departments from the National Fund under the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority.

Frequency and Validity: The grant is a one-time assistance, released in two separate instalments, and financial assistance is provided to each Nagar Van or Nagar Vatika for the first two years only.

##### Components

• Fencing of the identified area must be undertaken.
• Establishment and maintenance of woodlots or tree cover with an emphasis on locally appropriate species must be carried out.
• Theme-based plantations such as Smriti Van or Nakshatra Van may be established.
• Plants representing floral biodiversity, including ornamental trees, medicinal plants, and fruit trees, must be included.
• Irrigation and rain water harvesting facilities must be established.
• Establishment and maintenance of public conveniences, drinking water facilities, benches, walkways, and cycle tracks must be completed.
• An Information and Extension Centre, including display boards and information brochures, must be established and maintained.

##### Conditions

• The first instalment of 70% of the sanctioned amount is released to the State Forest Department after the approval of the project by the National Authority.
• The remaining second instalment of 30% is released after 60% utilization of the first instalment and on the submission of the utilisation certificate and progress report.
• The State Forest Department must further release the portion of the grant meant for an implementing agency within a period of seven days.
• A corpus of the entire funds received by the implementing agency must be maintained as an interest-bearing account in a government or public sector bank.
• Detailed accounts of receipts and expenditures must be maintained by each implementing agency and the State Forest Department.
• All funds received by the implementing agency must be subjected to an annual audit by a chartered accountant.