India Launches Revised Green Mission

The Government of India has revised the roadmap for the National Mission for Green India (GIM), originally launched in 2014 as part of the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC). This initiative aims to combat climate change through afforestation and restoration of ecosystems, while also improving livelihoods for communities reliant on forest resources.

Key Developments:

• Revised Roadmap (June 17, 2023): The updated GIM emphasizes not only increasing forest cover but also restoring various ecosystems, including the Aravalli ranges, Western Ghats, Himalayas, and mangroves. The effort intends to tackle land degradation and desertification and aligns with on-ground climate impacts and stakeholder feedback.

• Core Objectives: The main goals of GIM include:

  • Increasing forest and tree cover on 5 million hectares.
  • Improving the quality of forest cover on another 5 million hectares.
  • Facilitating tree plantation and afforestation activities over 11.22 million hectares (2015-2021).

• Funding and Utilization: From 2019-2024, the Centre allocated Rs 624.71 crore to 18 states for GIM. Utilization till February 2023 stands at Rs 575.55 crore.

• New Focus Areas:

  • Restoration Activities: A significant focus on vulnerable landscapes using regionally adapted best practices.
  • Saturation of Ecosystems: Targeting specific landscapes such as the Aravallis and Western Ghats to counter degradation and enhance biodiversity.
  • Green Wall Project: Aims to combat degradation in the Aravalli range over 8 lakh hectares across four states at an estimated cost of Rs 16,053 crore. This includes creating a buffer zone of 5 km around these mountains.

• Addressing Land Degradation: Approximately 97.85 million hectares of India have been affected by land degradation, as per the Indian Space Research Organisation. The country seeks to establish an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of CO2 through increased forest cover by 2030, aligning with commitments to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

• Restoration Goals: India has pledged to restore 26 million hectares of degraded land by 2030. GIM's interventions, including the Green Wall project, are critical to achieving this target.

• Carbon Sequestration Potential: The restoration of impaired open forests is identified as a cost-effective high-impact strategy for CO2 sequestration. Estimates suggest this could sequester up to 1.89 billion tonnes of CO2 over 15 million hectares.

• Projected Outcomes: If ongoing schemes are combined and afforestation efforts intensified, GIM could potentially expand forest cover to 24.7 million hectares, leading to a carbon sink of approximately 3.39 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent by 2030.

Summary Points:

• The National Mission for Green India was revised to enhance restoration of crucial ecosystems.
• GIM aims for increased forest cover of 5 million hectares and improved forest quality by an equal area.
• It has facilitated afforestation over 11.22 million hectares from 2015-2021 with significant funding.
• The revised roadmap emphasizes restoration practices in vulnerable landscapes.
• The Green Wall Project seeks to address degradation in Aravalli ranges over 8 lakh hectares.
• An estimated 3 billion tonnes of CO2 are targeted for additional sequestration by 2030, aiding in climate commitments.
• Total restoration goal includes 26 million hectares of degraded land by 2030, enhancing biodiversity and environmental sustainability.

This comprehensive approach signals India’s commitment towards environmental preservation and sustainable development amid growing concerns over climate change.