Science or habit? Study examines effectiveness of Green India Mission

Science or habit? Study examines effectiveness of Green India Mission

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A recent study has critically analysed the effectiveness of Green India Mission

Important Facts

About Green India Mission

1. Green India Mission (GIM), is one of the eight Missions outlined under the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC).
2. It is aimed at protecting, restoring and enhancing India’s diminishing forest cover and responding to climate change by a combination of adaptation and mitigation measures.

Objectives:

• To increase forest/tree cover to the extent of 5 million hectares (mha) and improve quality of forest/tree cover on another 5 mha of forest/non-forest land
• Eco-restoration/afforestation of scrub, shifting cultivation areas, cold deserts, mangroves, ravines and abandoned mining areas
• To increase forest based livelihood income for about 3 million households in and around these forest areas; and
• Enhanced annual CO2 sequestration by 50 to 60 million tonnes in the year 2020.

Issues with mission

1. According to the study, afforestation targets set under the Green India Mission are arbitrary and not based on sound science.
2. It observes that the approach to forestry is flawed and commitment to fixed rates of forest cover encourages tree plantations in ecologically inappropriate sites and conditions which may give rise to diminished precipitation, warming temperatures, soil erosion, and decreasing biodiversity
3. The study states that afforestation extends the authority of Indian state forest departments in a way that it undermines local livelihoods rather than supporting them
4. Aggressive afforestation projects in India do not address drivers of widespread and large-scale deforestation

Way ahead

The study states that mere tree-planting is no solution. Greening should take a socio-ecological approach that treats the system in a holistic way and focusses on ‘Restoration Ecology’ of grasslands, streams, mixed scrub, agro-forestry, etc.