National Afforestation and Eco-development Board (NAEB)

It was established in 1992 with the objective of promoting afforestation, tree planting, ecological restoration and eco-development activities in the country.

• Major Activities undertaken by the organization include-
  • Evolving mechanisms for ecological restoration of degraded forest areas and adjoining lands through systematic planning and implementation;
  • Restoring, through natural regeneration or appropriate intervention, the forest cover in the country for ecological security and to meet the fuel wood, fodder and other needs of the rural communities;
  • Sponsoring research and extension of findings to disseminate new and proper technologies for the regeneration and development of degraded forest areas and adjoining lands;
  • Creating general awareness and help foster a people’s movement for promoting afforestation and eco-development with the assistance of voluntary agencies, non-governmental organizations, panchayati raj institutions and others and promote participatory and sustainable management of degraded forest areas and adjoining lands.
• Special focus under NAEB is given to the regeneration of degraded forest areas and lands adjoining forest areas, national parks, sanctuaries and other protected areas as well as the ecologically fragile areas like the Western Himalayas, Aravallis, and Western Ghats, etc.

Conclusion

Additional measures like tightening scrutiny on developmental projects on forest lands, creating awareness about the importance of forests, recognizing traditional conservation methods of forest dwellers and increasing investment in creating greener infrastructure can help to achieve a balance between the urge to develop quickly and the need to protect environment.