New Delhi, June 5 -- Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav on Thursday said the Centre is encouraging public participation in expanding green cover through initiatives such as the Green Credit Programme and the development of "Namo Van" spaces across the country.

In an interview with ANI, Yadav said individuals, companies and organisations can help restore degraded forest land through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives and earn transferable green credits for creating green cover, while the ownership of land will remain with the forest department.

He added that small community green spaces in schools, colleges, residential colonies and urban areas are also being developed as "Namo Van" to promote environmental conserv...