Paper: GS – III, Subject: Environment and Ecology, Topic: Forest Conservation, Issue: Forest Restoration in India.
Context:
India’s revised Green India Mission aims to restore 25 million hectares of degraded land by 2030, supporting climate goals by creating a carbon sink of 3.39 billion tonnes CO2, but success depends on restoration quality and ecological health.
Key Highlights:
- The revised GIM builds upon previous afforestation efforts, which saw an increase in forest and tree cover from 24.16% in 2015 to 25.17% in 2023, with afforestation across 11.22 million hectares between 2015 and 2021.
Addressing Key Gaps in India’s Afforestation:
India’s afforestation efforts have historically faced three significant challenges:
Community Participation: Nearly 200 million Indians depend on forests for their livelihoods.
- The Forest Rights Act (2006) empowers local communities to manage and protect their landscapes.
- However, many plantation drives bypass these communities, undermining their rights and consent.
- Successful models, such as Joint Forest Management Committees in Odisha and biodiversity-sensitive plantations in Chhattisgarh, demonstrate the potential of community-led initiatives.
Ecological Design: Past afforestation practices have often relied on monocultures of species like eucalyptus or acacia, which can deplete groundwater and harm native biodiversity.
- The revised GIM emphasizes the use of native, site-specific species.
- Training institutes can equip frontline staff with the ecological expertise needed for effective restoration.
- Tamil Nadu’s success in doubling its mangrove cover exemplifies the benefits of ecologically sound approaches.
Financing: The CAMPA fund holds a substantial ₹95,000 crore, but utilization has been inconsistent. The GIM has relied heavily on CAMPA funds.
- Smarter use of funds is crucial, with states experimenting with innovative financing tools like biochar programs and carbon markets.
Building Blocks for Success: India possesses the necessary foundations for successful forest restoration:
- Strong legal frameworks, Sizeable financing pools, Institutional capacity and Promising local models.
Cycle of Forest Restoration in India:
As India strives towards Viksit Bharat 2047, forests are not just an environmental concern but a crucial asset for the future. By addressing the challenges and capitalizing on the opportunities, India can transform the GIM into a national movement that reshapes the world’s understanding of restoration.
https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/indias-forests-hold-the-future/article70239892.ece
La Excellence IAS Academy, the best IAS coaching in Hyderabad, known for delivering quality content and conceptual clarity for UPSC 2025 preparation.
FOLLOW US ON:
◉ YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/@CivilsPrepTeam
◉ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaExcellenceIAS
◉ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laexcellenceiasacademy/
GET IN TOUCH:
Contact us at info@laex.in, https://laex.in/contact-us/
or Call us @ +91 9052 29 2929, +91 9052 99 2929, +91 9154 24 2140
OUR BRANCHES:
Head Office: H No: 1-10-225A, Beside AEVA Fertility Center, Ashok Nagar Extension, VV Giri Nagar, Ashok Nagar, Hyderabad, 500020
Madhapur: Flat no: 301, survey no 58-60, Guttala begumpet Madhapur metro pillar: 1524, Rangareddy Hyderabad, Telangana 500081
Bangalore: Plot No: 99, 2nd floor, 80 Feet Road, Beside Poorvika Mobiles, Chandra Layout, Attiguppe, Near Vijaya Nagara, Bengaluru, 560040
