Context: Recently, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change released a brochure on the best practices on Urban Forests and announcing the Nagar Van scheme.
Key Points

• Government announced the implementation of the Nagar van scheme to develop 200 Urban Forests across the country in the next 5 years.
• The announcement was made on the occasion of World Environment Day (WED). The move is in line with World Environment Day 2020's focus on 'Biodiversity'.
• Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change released a brochure on the best practices on Urban Forests and announcing the Nagar Van scheme.
• It is expected that Urban Forest will revive the age-old tradition of village forests in cities.
• India has 8% of the world's biodiversity. India occupies 2.5% of the world's landmass with 4% of freshwater sources.

? Finances

• The finances for the scheme will be paid for by the CAMPA (Compensatory Afforestation Fund (CAF) Act, 2016) funds.
• The CAF Act was enacted to manage the funds collected for compensatory afforestation which till then was managed by ad hoc Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA).
• Compensatory afforestation means that every time forest land is diverted for non-forest purposes such as mining or industry, the user agency pays for planting forests over an equal area of non-forest land, or when such land is not available, twice the area of degraded forest land.
• As per the rules, 90% of the CAF money is to be given to the states while 10% is to be retained by the Centre.

About Urban Forest Scheme

• The scheme will be implemented with people’s participation and collaboration between the Forest Department, Municipal bodies, NGOs and corporates.
• These forests will work as lungs of the cities and will primarily be on the forest land or any other vacant land offered by local urban local bodies.
• Warje Urban Forest has been set as a role model for the Urban Forest in the country.
• It has been studied that the forest is rich in biodiversity with 23 plant species, 29 bird species, 15 butterfly species, 10 reptiles, and 3 mammal species. 
• This Urban Forest project is now helping maintain ecological balance, serving both environmental and social needs.

Vision

• To create/ develop at least one CITY FOREST in each City having Municipal Corporation/ Class I Cities for providing wholesome healthy living environment, and contributing to growth of Smart, Clean, Green, Sustainable and Healthy Cities.
   

Objectives

• To create 200 City Forests in the Country. A City Forest will be developed in each City with Municipal Council.
• To create awareness on plants and biodiversity.
• Conservation education on important flora and fauna of the region including threat perception.
• Ecological rejuvenation of the cities-Forests the green lungs will contribute to Environmental improvement of cities by pollution mitigation, cleaner air, noise reduction, water harvesting and reduction of heat islands effect.
• In-situ Biodiversity conservation.
• Health benefits to citizens.
• Making cities climate resilient.

Components of City forests

• Fencing as appropriate.
• Wooded blocks with emphasis on locally appropriate species.
• Plants to include shrubs, climbers, medicinal plants, seasonal flowering plants etc. to represent floral biodiversity.
• Irrigation/ rain water harvesting facility.
• Open Air Conservation education displays, signages, brochures etc.
• Public convenience, drinking water facilities, benches etc.
• Walkways/ footpath, Jogging and cycle track.