Report of the Steering Committee on the Environment and Forests Sector for the Eleventh Five Year Plan (2007-2012)

Abstract

The Report of the Steering Committee on the Environment and Forests Sector for the Eleventh Five-Year Plan (2007-2012) presents a comprehensive framework for integrating environmental conservation with socio-economic development in India. The plan emphasizes sustainable management of natural resources, including forests, water, and biodiversity, while prioritizing community involvement, particularly for marginalized groups. Key strategies include strengthening regulatory frameworks through the establishment of the National and State Environment Clearance Authorities, implementing the National Air and Water Quality Programmes, and promoting participatory forestry through Joint Forest Management (JFM) and agro-forestry initiatives. Biodiversity conservation is advanced via Local Biodiversity Management Committees, documentation of traditional knowledge, wildlife protection programs, and community-managed protected areas. Infrastructure development is linked to environmental sustainability, emphasizing efficient waste and sewage management, lake and river conservation, and urban biodiversity initiatives. Financial planning allocates ₹19,720 crores across forestry, biodiversity, pollution control, and environmental education programs. Specialized Working Groups and Task Forces were constituted to ensure coordinated implementation, research, and monitoring across sectors. The plan underscores a multi-dimensional approach to environmental governance, integrating scientific, economic, and social considerations to achieve sustainable development, ecosystem resilience, and equitable benefits for rural and urban communities.