Revamped Green India Mission a sound move

An updated National Mission for Green India document, highlighting the Mission’s aim to restore degraded forest ecosystems in the Western Ghats, the Himalayas and the Aravalli mountain range was unveiled by the Government of India last week, according to a Press Trust of India (PTI) press release. The updated mission document, launched on the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, also focuses on greening the arid regions of northwest India, the press release adds. In its first phase, the mission aimed at improving ecosystem services in 10 million hectares of land, increase forest-based livelihood income of around three million forest dependent households and enhance CO2 sequestration by 50 to 60 MT in the year 2020.

The document stresses that restoration of natural forests through plantations can contribute up to 60% of the total carbon sink which can be achieved by 2030. It is also indicated by the Forest Survey of India (FSI) evaluation that to bring about an increase in carbon sink (CO2 equivalent billion tonnes) by 2.51 and 3.39 by 2030, as committed by India in its nationally determined contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement, a corresponding increase of 18.71 and 24.69 million hectares of enhanced forest and tree cover area would be required respectively.

The Green India Mission is being implemented during the 10-year period from 2021 to 2030. A part of these plantation activities has already taken place, as per the document. Annual afforestation/ tree plantation at the current trend of over 2 million hectares should cover another 12 million hectares during 2025-30, the report has said. Ten categories of activities have been considered by FSI for the potential increase in carbon sink and forest cover in the country and include afforestation of impaired forests, open forests, wastelands, agroforestry, setting up of green corridors, undertaking plantations along roads and railways on railway sidings, along rivers and canals and creation of urban green spaces.

An Urban Acres report states that this revised roadmap for the Green India Mission proposes intensifying efforts to restore forest cover and address climate change. Announced on June 17, the plan expands its scope beyond afforestation to include restoration of critical ecosystems like the Aravallis, Himalayas, Western Ghats, and mangroves, while also tackling land degradation and desertification across vulnerable landscapes. The Green India Mission, part of India’s National Action Plan on Climate Change, now prioritises ecologically sensitive zones for restoration. The updated strategy targets degraded landscapes in the Aravalli ranges, Himalayan foothills, mangrove belts, and the biodiversity-rich Western Ghats. These regions, often under stress from development and climate impacts, are central to India’s biodiversity and climate adaptation goals.

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), the Urban Acres report points out, says that the revised Green India Mission will include community-led afforestation, assisted natural regeneration, and enhanced eco-restoration techniques. These measures are expected to support ecosystem-based climate resilience while contributing to India’s commitments under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Bonn Challenge to restore 26 million hectares by 2030.

The report adds that while earlier versions of the Green India Mission faced delays and budget shortfalls, officials now say the renewed plan incorporates learnings from past challenges. Greater emphasis is placed on inter-agency coordination, improved funding models, and real-time monitoring using remote sensing technologies. Capacity building among forest-dependent communities and local governance units is also a major focus in the revised framework. It says the revamped Green India Mission signals a stronger national push toward ecosystem restoration, green cover expansion, and climate adaptation. By targeting forest regeneration across ecologically vital zones like the Himalayan and Aravalli mountain ranges and mangroves, the government aims to build natural buffers against climate change. Its success, however, will rely on transparent governance, sustained funding, and grassroots participation for long-term environmental and social resilience.

According to the Urban Acres report, experts have welcomed the mission’s expanded scope, calling it a timely move in the face of escalating climate threats and land degradation. However, they caution that success depends on decentralised implementation, community participation, and ensuring that tribal rights under the Forest Rights Act are respected. Environmental groups also stress the need for transparent progress tracking and impact audits.