Revised Green India Mission: Forest Restoration Goals

Revised Green India Mission Targets Forest Restoration

Why in the News ?

The Centre released a revised roadmap for the National Mission for Green India, enhancing its focus on restoring degraded ecosystems, especially in the Aravallis, Western Ghats, and Himalayas, and contributing to India’s carbon sink and climate commitments by 2030. This update aligns with broader goals of forest conservation and sustainable forest governance.

Revised Green India Mission: Forest Restoration Goals

Highlights of Revised Roadmap

  • Targets restoration of the Aravallis, Western Ghats, Indian Himalayas, and mangroves.
  • Plans saturation of vulnerable landscapes using region-specific best practices.
  • Aligns with the Aravalli Green Wall Project to create a 5 km buffer zone across 8 lakh hectares.
  • Focus in Western Ghats on groundwater recharge, eco-restoration, and abandoned mining areas.
  • Aims to combat desertification and create a natural carbon sink.

Climate Commitments and Carbon Sink Targets

  • India committed to restoring 26 million hectares of degraded land by 2030.
  • Between 2005–2021, India created 2.29 billion tonnes CO₂-equivalent carbon sink.
  • Forest Survey of India (FSI) projects 3.39 billion tonnes CO₂ sink possible by expanding cover to 24.7 mha.
  • GIM is pivotal for meeting UNFCCC and Paris Agreement goals, showcasing India’s commitment to forest conservation and climate action.

About Green India Mission (GIM):

● Launched in 2014 under the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC).

● Aims to increase forest/tree cover by 5 million hectares and improve quality on another 5 million hectares.

● Promotes ecological restoration and sustainable livelihoods.

● Between 2015-21, afforestation was carried out on 11.22 mha of land.

● Focuses on areas with high ecological vulnerability and carbon sequestration potential.