New Delhi, Sept. 1 -- A minimum 40% canopy density following at least five years of restoration activities in a degraded forest land parcel has been made an eligible criterion for grant of green credit to an applicant, the Union environment ministry has said in a notification. This green credit, according to the notification issued on August 29, can thereafter be used even by private entities and companies for leadership indicators in environmental, social and governance. The notification refers to the methodology for calculating green credit for a plantation activity. The Centre had in October 2023 enacted the Green Credit Rules, 2023 under sections 3, 6 and 25 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. HT had on February 27, 2024 cited a ...