GIM Progress: 1.84 Lakh Hectares of Degraded Land Restored Since 2015

11 Aug GIM Progress: 1.84 Lakh Hectares of Degraded Land Restored Since 2015

✎ The Green India Mission (GIM) is a climate change mitigation initiative under NAPCC, operational since 2015-16, aiming to restore 1,84,467 hectares of degraded forest lands through an integrated landscape approach, community…

Subject Relevance — Where This Topic Fits

• GS Paper III — Environment and Disaster Management  |  GS Paper III — Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation
• Prelims: Green India Mission (GIM), National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA), Forest Survey of India (FSI), India State of Forest Report (ISFR), Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMC), Geo-tagging of plantations, Integrated Landscape Approach
• Essay: Climate change mitigation through afforestation and ecosystem restoration, Community participation in environmental conservation: successes and challenges

Quick Revision: The Green India Mission (GIM) is a climate change mitigation initiative under NAPCC, operational since 2015-16, aiming to restore 1,84,467 hectares of degraded forest lands through an integrated landscape approach, community participation, and multi-tiered monitoring, with financial support from CAMPA and technical oversight from FSI.

Why is this in the news?

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, in a written reply to a parliamentary question on 10 August 2026, provided detailed data on the implementation status, financial allocation, and monitoring mechanisms of the Green India Mission (GIM) for the restoration of degraded forest lands across 17 states and one Union Territory. The response underscored the mission’s integrated landscape approach, community involvement, and multi-tiered monitoring framework, including geo-tagging, GIS mapping, and third-party audits, to ensure ecological restoration and livelihood enhancement.

Background

• The Green India Mission (GIM) is one of the nine missions under the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC).
• GIM was operationalised in 2015-16 with the objective of restoring degraded forest lands and non-forest areas using an integrated landscape approach, integrating biodiversity conservation, ecosystem services, and livelihood support.
• The mission operates under the broader framework of India’s commitments under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), including the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to increase forest and tree cover by 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent by 2030.
• Degraded forest lands in India are estimated to cover approximately 10.5 million hectares, necessitating systematic restoration to enhance carbon sequestration, biodiversity conservation, and rural livelihoods.
• The Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) plays a pivotal role in financing afforestation and restoration activities under GIM, with funds released based on state proposals and approved annual plans.
• The Forest Survey of India (FSI) conducts biennial assessments of forest cover and publishes findings in the India State of Forest Report (ISFR), which serves as a critical data source for monitoring ecological restoration progress.

What is the Green India Mission (GIM)?

• GIM is a centrally sponsored scheme under the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), launched in 2015-16 to address climate change through large-scale ecological restoration.
• The mission adopts an integrated landscape approach, targeting degraded forest lands, non-forest areas, and urban green spaces to enhance ecosystem resilience and carbon sequestration.
• GIM operates in 17 states and one Union Territory, with a cumulative restoration area of 1,84,467 hectares reported from 2015-16 to the present, covering states such as Madhya Pradesh (32,831 ha), Odisha (20,711 ha), and Chhattisgarh (22,601 ha).
• The mission integrates community participation through Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMC), Village Forest Committees (VFC), and self-help groups, ensuring local ownership and livelihood linkages in restoration activities.
• Financial allocations under GIM are routed through CAMPA, with ₹57.08 crore released to seven states in 2026-27 for approved restoration activities, including afforestation, nursery development, and maintenance.
• Monitoring of GIM activities is conducted at multiple levels: geo-tagging of plantation sites, GIS-based mapping, drone surveys, and third-party audits to assess survival rates and identify gaps for corrective action.
• The Forest Survey of India (FSI) provides independent assessments of forest cover and ecological restoration progress through remote sensing and ground verification, published biennially in the India State of Forest Report (ISFR).

Key Features

Feature	Significance
Integrated Landscape Approach under GIM	Adopts a holistic, cross-sectoral strategy for restoring degraded forests and non-forest sites, aligning with global best practices in ecosystem restoration.
State-wise Ecological Restoration (2015-16 to 2026-27)	Covers 1,84,467 hectares across 17 states and 1 UTs, demonstrating decentralised implementation with measurable outcomes.
Community Participation (JFMCs, VFCs, SHGs)	Engages local institutions for plantation, post-plantation care, nursery development, and livelihood-linked activities, ensuring ownership and sustainability.
Multi-level Monitoring Framework	Combines geotagging, GIS mapping, drone surveillance, and third-party audits to track survival rates and enforce corrective measures.
Urban Forestry (NVY Scheme)	Targets 600 urban forests and 400 urban gardens by 2026-27 to enhance micro-climate, air quality, and urban biodiversity.

Why it Matters

Environmental

• Contributes to India’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement by increasing forest and tree cover.
• Mitigates land degradation and desertification, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 15 (Life on Land).
• Enhances carbon sequestration potential, supporting climate change mitigation efforts.

Economic

• Generates rural employment through afforestation, nursery development, and allied livelihood activities in forest-fringe communities.
• Supports agroforestry and non-timber forest products, diversifying income sources for local populations.
• Reduces soil erosion and improves water retention, benefiting agricultural productivity in degraded landscapes.

Governance & Institutional

• Demonstrates Centre-State coordination in implementing flagship missions under the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC).
• Strengthens participatory forest governance through Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMCs) and Village Forest Committees (VFCs).
• Leverages technology (GIS, geotagging, drones) for transparent and accountable monitoring of restoration projects.

Social

• Promotes gender-inclusive participation via self-help groups (SHGs) in afforestation and post-plantation maintenance activities.
• Improves micro-climate and air quality in urban areas through the ‘Nagar Van Yojana’ initiative.
• Enhances biodiversity and ecosystem services, benefiting dependent communities.

Challenges

1. Low Survival Rates of Planted Species

• Survival rates of planted saplings often fall below 50% due to inadequate post-plantation care, water stress, or biotic pressures.
• Monitoring reports indicate gaps in maintenance, necessitating periodic gap-filling and corrective actions.
• Climate variability and extreme weather events further exacerbate survival challenges.

UPSC Link: NAPCC – Mission Objectives

2. Land Tenure and Legal Constraints

• Degraded lands often face unresolved land tenure issues, limiting community access and long-term restoration efforts.
• Conflicts over forest rights under the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006, can delay or complicate afforestation projects.
• Encroachment and illegal land use in degraded areas hinder restoration initiatives.

UPSC Link: Forest Rights Act, 2006

3. Technological and Capacity Gaps

• Limited adoption of advanced monitoring tools (drones, AI-based analytics) in some states due to financial and technical constraints.
• Inadequate training for local institutions (JFMCs, VFCs) in nursery management, species selection, and maintenance protocols.
• Data gaps in baseline assessments of degraded lands impede targeted restoration planning.

UPSC Link: NAPCC – Technology Integration

4. Funding and Resource Allocation

• Inconsistent release of funds across states, leading to delays in project implementation and maintenance activities.
• Dependence on central allocations under CAMPA may not fully address state-specific needs or priorities.
• Limited private sector or CSR participation in afforestation projects despite potential tax incentives.

UPSC Link: CAMPA Funds – Utilisation

5. Biodiversity and Species Selection

• Overemphasis on fast-growing species (e.g., Eucalyptus) for quick results may compromise native biodiversity.
• Inadequate focus on ecological succession and mixed-species plantations in restoration planning.
• Lack of standardised protocols for selecting indigenous species suited to local ecological conditions.

UPSC Link: National Biodiversity Action Plan

Challenges — UPSC Perspective

Issue	Concern
Post-plantation survival rates	Inadequate maintenance leads to high mortality, reducing ecological benefits.
Land tenure conflicts	Unresolved rights under FRA delay restoration and community engagement.
Limited technological adoption	Gaps in GIS, drone surveillance, and AI hinder effective monitoring.
Inconsistent funding flows	Delays in fund release affect project continuity and quality.
Species selection bias	Over-reliance on monocultures risks long-term ecological resilience.
Urban forestry scalability	Achieving 600 urban forests by 2026-27 requires accelerated planning and execution.

Government Initiatives — Must-Memorise for Prelims

• Green India Mission (GIM) under NAPCC
• Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA)

Way Forward

• Strengthen post-plantation maintenance protocols with dedicated budgets for gap-filling and survival monitoring.
• Accelerate land tenure resolution under the Forest Rights Act to ensure community ownership of restoration projects.
• Expand training programs for JFMCs, VFCs, and SHGs on nursery management, species selection, and climate-resilient afforestation.
• Enhance inter-state collaboration to share best practices in monitoring, species selection, and funding utilisation.
• Promote public-private partnerships and CSR funding for afforestation projects to supplement government allocations.
• Develop state-specific ecological restoration plans integrating local biodiversity, climate data, and livelihood needs.
• Leverage remote sensing and AI for predictive modeling of survival rates and adaptive management of restoration sites.
• Increase transparency in fund utilisation through real-time dashboards and third-party audits.

UPSC Value Addition

Prelims Practice Questions

Q1. Consider the following statements regarding the Green India Mission (GIM):
1. GIM is one of the nine missions under the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC).
2. GIM aims to restore degraded forest and non-forest lands through an integrated landscape approach.
3. GIM exclusively focuses on afforestation in urban areas.
4. GIM employs geo-tagging and GIS-based monitoring for tracking restoration activities.

How many of the above statements are correct?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. Only three
4. All

Answer: All — Statements 1, 2, and 4 are correct. Statement 3 is incorrect as GIM focuses on both forest and non-forest lands and includes rural as well as urban greening through the National Urban Forest Scheme (NUF).

Q2. Which of the following institutions is primarily responsible for monitoring forest cover in India using remote sensing and ground-based assessments?

1. A. Forest Survey of India (FSI)
2. B. National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC)
3. C. Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
4. D. Botanical Survey of India (BSI)

Answer: A. Forest Survey of India (FSI) — The Forest Survey of India (FSI) is mandated under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to conduct biennial assessments of forest cover using remote sensing and ground-based verification, publishing the findings in the India State of Forest Report (ISFR).

Q3. Assertion (A): The National Urban Forest Scheme (NUF) is implemented to enhance greenery in urban areas.
Reason (R): The scheme aims to improve air quality and local micro-climate through urban afforestation.

In the context of the above two statements, which one of the following is correct?

1. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
2. Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A
3. A is true, but R is false
4. A is false, but R is true

Answer: Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A — Both the assertion and reason are true, and the reason correctly explains the assertion. The NUF scheme is designed to increase urban greenery (A) with the specific objective of improving air quality and micro-climate (R).

Mains Practice Question

✍ The Green India Mission (GIM) represents a paradigm shift from traditional afforestation to integrated landscape restoration. Critically examine the objectives, implementation mechanisms, and monitoring frameworks of GIM in the context of India’s climate change mitigation strategy. (15 Marks)

Approach: MODEL-ANSWER SKELETON:
1. **Introduction (2 marks)**: Define GIM as a mission under NAPCC (2008) with the objective of restoring 5 million hectares of degraded forest and non-forest lands by 2020 (extended to 2030). Highlight its integrated landscape approach and alignment with SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 15 (Life on Land).

2. **Objectives and Scope (3 marks)**:
– Restoration of degraded forests and non-forest lands (e.g., wastelands, scrublands).
– Enhancement of forest cover and biodiversity.
– Climate change mitigation through carbon sequestration.
– Livelihood generation for local communities via Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMCs) and Village Forest Committees (VFCs).
– Urban greening through the National Urban Forest Scheme (NUF).

3. **Implementation Mechanisms (4 marks)**:
– **Institutional Framework**: Role of Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), state forest departments, and local institutions (JFMCs, VFCs, SHGs).
– **Funding**: Central allocation of ₹57.08 crore for 2026-27 to seven states under GIM; use of CAMPA funds for NUF.
– **Community Participation**: Involvement of local communities in afforestation, nursery development, and post-plantation maintenance.
– **Technology Integration**: Use of geo-tagging, GIS mapping, drone surveillance, and remote sensing for monitoring.

4. **Monitoring and Evaluation (3 marks)**:
– **Multi-level Monitoring**: Central and state-level systems, third-party audits, and ground verification.
– **Data-Driven Tools**: Geo-tagged photographs, KML files, and GIS-based mapping for real-time tracking.
– **Impact Assessment**: Biennial assessments by Forest Survey of India (FSI) published in the India State of Forest Report (ISFR).
– **Corrective Measures**: Filling gaps in survival rates and maintenance based on survival assessments.

5. **Challenges and Criticisms (2 marks)**:
– **Survival Rate Concerns**: Low survival rates of planted saplings due to inadequate post-plantation care.
– **Land Tenure Issues**: Conflicts over land rights and encroachments in degraded forest lands.
– **Scalability**: Limited coverage (1,84,467 hectares restored since 2015-16) compared to the mission’s targets.
– **Inter-State Disparities**: Uneven progress across states (e.g., Madhya Pradesh vs. Punjab).

6. **Conclusion (1 mark)**: GIM is a holistic approach to ecological restoration but requires strengthening of institutional capacities, community engagement, and technological tools to achieve its ambitious targets. Its success will depend on sustained funding, political will, and adaptive management.

Source: PIB (Press Information Bureau)

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