PARLIAMENT QUESTION: GREEN CREDIT PROGRAMME

The Green Credit Programme, notified under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, provides a mechanism for voluntary environmental actions by issuing Green Credits. Rules were notified on 12 Oct 2023; the tree‑plantation and eco‑restoration modality was first notified on 22 Feb 2024 and revised on 29 Aug 2025. The Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRI) acts as Administrator, with a dedicated portal (https://moefccgcp.in/). Degraded forest parcels are identified by State Forest Departments, and credits can be claimed only after five years of restoration and achieving at least 40 % canopy density. A designated agency verifies claims, and a manual on monitoring and reporting supports implementation. The programme aims to increase green cover, enhance carbon sequestration, restore degraded lands, and provide ecosystem services to local communities.