NT Reporter
Panaji
The implementation of the central Nagar Van Yojana, which aims to develop urban forests and green spaces in cities and towns, is in strong need of a push in the state. While Goa has received funds from the Centre, there has been limited public disclosure of location or attempt to take up work for implementing the scheme in urban areas.
The state has not officially announced major new Nagar Van sites in recent months.
The initiative intends to improve biodiversity, reduce pollution and create climate-resilient urban areas.
The scheme, launched by the Union Ministry of Forest, Environment and Climate Change in 2020, has remained limited but active in the state.
Goa received Rs 61.59 crore under the scheme in 2023-24.
According to government data, no allocation was reported for Goa in 2022-23, 2024-25 or 2025-26.
Officials earlier had said the scheme implementation in the state would focus on increasing green cover in urban and peri-urban areas, especially around expanding municipal areas.
The initiative is aimed at complementing Goa’s broader environmental protection measures, including mangrove conservation, riverbank no-development zones and afforestation drives.
It is pertinent to note that states such as Telangana recently announced new urban forests under the initiative.
Nationally, the scheme initially targeted 400 Nagar Vans and 200 Nagar Vatikas between 2020 and 2025, but the Union government later expanded the scope to 1,000 urban forests across the country.
Under the guidelines, Nagar Vans are generally developed on 10 to 50 hectares of forest or vacant public land within or near urban limits. These spaces typically include native tree plantations, walking trails, biodiversity parks and recreational green zones for the public.
