Karnataka forests.

Photo courtesy: forestsnow.org

In the backdrop of the Copenhagen climate change meet, the Karnataka government announced that it would come out with an action plan to tackle the issue, the Daily News & Analysis (DNA) has reported.

Chief minister BS Yeddyurappa, who released a report submitted by the western ghats task force on Monday said: "The state, in consultation with scientists, experts and members of the western ghats task force, will come up with an action plan to counter global warming."

Details of the project: [Link]

He said that the state is coming up with several initiatives to replenish the forest cover. "The state has a forest cover of 43,356 sq km. As per environmental guidelines, 33% of the total area should comprise of forest cover. However, only 22% of the state is under forests. In order to increase this to 33% in the next eight years, we have chalked out a Rs6,400 crore scheme," he said.

The afforestation programme is being implemented under the Jawaharlala Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) scheme extensively across the state. "This year, we have made use of Rs2,000 crore of the funds for afforestation. The state is also launching a forest protection and development scheme called "Kampa" for Rs58 crore," he said.
Yeddyurappa also announced a coastal protection scheme.

The western ghats task force chairman Anantha Hegde also submitted reports on Karwar landslide, coastal eco-restoration and sustainable development. "The state's 298-km long coastal area has also been witnessing multiple threats due to sea erosion, unscientific urbanisation and developmental projects," Hegde said, adding that the state government is launching a major pilot project on coastal eco-restoration and sustainable development.