Relevance for UPSC: GS Paper III – Environment, Ecology, Climate Change, and Forestry

As India seeks to balance economic growth with ecological sustainability, its forests are once again at the centre of the national climate conversation. The renewed Green India Mission (GIM) aims to restore 25 million hectares of degraded and non-forest land by 2030, positioning forest restoration as a key pillar of India’s climate and development strategy.

But this is not just about planting trees — it is about rebuilding ecosystems, reviving livelihoods, and redefining climate resilience in a warming world.

Why Forests Matter

India’s forests are far more than green cover — they are living systems that sustain people, climate, and biodiversity.

• Carbon sink: Forests absorb carbon dioxide, helping India meet its Paris Agreement commitments and the net-zero by 2070 target.
  
• Ecosystem services: They regulate water flow, prevent soil erosion, recharge groundwater, and mitigate floods.
  
• Livelihoods: Nearly 200 million people in India depend on forests for food, fuel, fodder, and income.
  
• Biodiversity: Forests support about 80% of India’s terrestrial species, many of which are globally significant.
  

The Green India Mission (GIM) — The Blueprint for Restoration

The revised GIM (2021–2030) sets a bold agenda: restoring degraded forests and lands across India’s diverse ecosystems — from the Aravalli Hills and Western Ghats to Himalayan catchments and mangroves.

Key objectives:

1. Enhance ecosystem services like carbon sequestration and soil moisture retention.
   
2. Strengthen forest-dependent livelihoods through sustainable forest-based enterprises.
   
3. Align afforestation with biodiversity conservation and climate adaptation.
   

Between 2015 and 2021, the Mission supported afforestation across 11.22 million hectares, disbursing over ₹575 crore to 18 States. During this period, forest and tree cover increased from 24.16% to 25.17%. Yet, the real test lies in improving the quality and resilience of restored forests, not just the area planted.

The Core Challenges

1. Quality vs Quantity:
   India’s restoration drive must focus on ecosystem health, not just hectares planted. Studies show that rising temperatures and water stress have reduced photosynthetic efficiency in dense forests, making carbon uptake less effective.
   
2. Community Participation:
   Despite the Forest Rights Act (2006) empowering local communities, plantation drives often bypass local consent. This weakens trust and undermines sustainable outcomes.
   
3. Financing and Institutional Gaps:
   Funding from the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) remains underutilised. Many States have disbursed less than half of their allotted funds due to procedural delays and weak monitoring.
   
4. Monoculture Dependency:
   Past afforestation efforts focused on fast-growing but ecologically poor species such as eucalyptus or acacia. These plantations deplete groundwater and reduce biodiversity. The revised GIM now encourages site-specific native species to restore natural habitats.
   

Bright Spots and Emerging Models

Several States are experimenting with innovative restoration practices that integrate ecology and livelihoods:

• Odisha: Joint Forest Management Committees share revenue from plantations with local communities, promoting trust and participation.
  
• Chhattisgarh: Forest departments are integrating biodiversity-sensitive plantations with cattle shelters and community pastures.
  
• Madhya Pradesh: A new biochar programme converts biomass waste into soil-friendly carbon credits.
  
• Uttar Pradesh: The State has planted over 39 crore saplings since 2019 and is experimenting with village-level carbon markets.
  
• Tamil Nadu: Mangrove restoration and eco-restoration of degraded coastal ecosystems have doubled the area of green buffers within three years.
  

These local innovations show that the future of afforestation lies in community-led, climate-smart restoration, not bureaucratic planting drives.

Building Blocks for Success

1. Institutional Alignment:
   Coordination between central ministries, State forest departments, and local governance bodies is essential to ensure accountability.
   
2. Science-Based Planning:
   Restoration must be guided by ecological data—soil type, rainfall, native flora, and climate projections—to ensure survival and resilience.
   
3. Technological Monitoring:
   Satellite mapping, GIS, and drone surveys should be used for real-time tracking of progress and survival rates.
   
4. Financial Innovation:
   Carbon credits, green bonds, and corporate partnerships under Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) can unlock new funding sources.
   
5. Empowering Communities:
   Participatory forest management, local employment, and benefit-sharing can make restoration socially sustainable.
   

Important Terms Explained

• Green India Mission (GIM): A national mission under the National Action Plan on Climate Change to enhance forest cover, ecosystem services, and livelihoods.
  
• CAMPA (Compensatory Afforestation Fund): A mechanism for using compensatory funds from diverted forest land for reforestation and conservation.
  
• Forest Rights Act (2006): Recognises forest dwellers’ rights over land and resources and mandates community involvement in forest management.
  
• Carbon Sink: A system (such as forests, soil, or oceans) that absorbs more carbon than it emits.
  
• Afforestation vs. Reforestation: Afforestation means planting trees on non-forested land; reforestation means restoring forest on degraded or deforested land.
  
• Joint Forest Management (JFM): A collaborative approach where forest departments and local communities share responsibilities and benefits.
  

Key Takeaways

• Forests are central to India’s climate resilience, biodiversity conservation, and rural economy.
  
• The Green India Mission is ambitious and timely but must prioritise ecological quality over numeric targets.
  
• Effective forest restoration demands community participation, transparent financing, and adaptive management.
  
• Success lies in combining science, local wisdom, and inclusive governance—turning tree planting into a national ecological movement.
  

One-Line Wrap

India’s forests are not just its lungs—they are its future lifeline for climate stability and community resilience.

UPSC Mains Question

“Discuss how the Green India Mission can balance ecological restoration with community livelihoods. What challenges must be addressed to make forest restoration both climate-resilient and inclusive?”