The Maharashtra forest department is exploring innovative funding methods, including green bonds and carbon credits, to support various projects related to forest protection and afforestation. Forest Minister Ganesh Naik emphasized that these financial instruments would help bridge the funding gap for the department, which currently faces a debt burden of approximately ₹11 lakh crore. The Forest Development Corporation of Maharashtra Ltd will manage the initiative, which is still in its early stages. Plans include planting 300 crore trees, with costs projected to exceed ₹1 lakh crore. Additionally, Naik announced a new housing project for forest officials worth ₹7 crore, aimed at improving living conditions and resources for frontline staff. The development plan for Sanjay Gandhi National Park, estimated at ₹750 crore, seeks to enhance visitor amenities and reduce human-wildlife conflict by planting fruit-bearing trees to keep wildlife within the park. Naik highlighted the long-term environmental impact of tree planting as a countermeasure to global warming.