A plan that is much more than just planting trees

Source: This post is created based on the article “A plan that is much more than just planting trees” published in The Hindu on 9^th July 2022.

Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Environment – Degradation

Context: Forest Landscape Restoration can help in regaining ecological functionality and improving human welfare.

In today’s world, forests need to be celebrated more than ever before. Simultaneously, more forests need to be created and restored.

Deforestation and forest degradation contribute to around 12% of global greenhouse gas emissions. The total area occupied by primary forests in India has decreased by 3.6%.

Many efforts are ongoing for tree plantation, like under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and Van Mahotsav. The history of Van Mahotsav goes back to July 1947, when it was first organized by the Punjabi botanist, M.S. Randhawa.

However, there is much debate about the efforts around tree planting.

Generally, governments rely on afforestation and reforestation for growing trees on non-treed land. Now, these strategies have evolved to forest landscape restoration.

What is Forest Landscape Restoration (FLR)?

FLR is the process of regaining ecological functionality and improving human welfare on deforested or degraded forest landscapes.

It involves communities when the interventions are designed and executed for the up-gradation of landscapes.

This process ensures the diversity of the native tree species during plantation. As diversity results in more efficient carbon-sequestering than monoculture tree plantations. Moreover, it is beneficial for the livelihood of local communities. For example, in Punjab, native tree species like Jhand (Prosopis cineraria), Desi Kikar (Acacia nilotica), and Pharwan are being planted. Most of these saplings have a high survival rate of 90%, which is very important for sustainable reforestation.

Nearly two billion hectares of degraded land in the world (and 140 million hectares in India) can be restored as forest land.

What are the benefits associated with Tree Plantation?

Environmental benefits

Influencing the carbon cycle and mitigating the effects of climate change. Annually, forests absorb roughly 2.6 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide. It is 33% of the total CO2 released due to fossil fuel burning.

Regulating the ecosystem.

Community benefits

Planting trees is deeply linked to the ‘wholistic’ well-being of all individuals, the community, and the planet.

First, Forests function as a resource base for goods and services for local communities.

Second, Forests are beneficial for agrarian cultures. According to academics from the World Resources Institute, forest ecosystems enrich soil fertility and water availability, and enhance agricultural productivity.

Third, Tree planting prevents erosion and stems flooding.

Fourth, Sustainable forest crops reduce food insecurity. It empowers women and allows them to gain access to more nutritional diets and new income streams.

Fifth, Agroforestry lessens rural-to-urban migration by increasing resources and household income.

Forest Restoration programs by India and the world

The period of 2021-2030 has been declared as the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.

Bonn Challenge: Launched in 2011, with a global goal to restore 150 million hectares of degraded and deforested landscapes by 2020 and 350 million hectares by 2030. India joined it in 2015, with the pledge to restore 26 million hectares of degraded and deforested land by 2030.

Green Skill Development Programme: The program has been launched for the youth, looking for employment and livelihood in the forests and environment.

Telangana has initiated a large-scale tree planting program called ‘Telanganaku Haritha Haram’.

What are the hurdles in Forest Restoration?

Identification of areas for restoration,

A lack of importance accorded to research and scientific strategies in tree planting,

Conflicts of interest among Stakeholders, and financing

What should be done?

Forest landscape restoration must be implemented proactively.

The stakeholders including the community, champions, government, and landowners need to be involved in the process.

All reforestation efforts should consider the local socio-economic context and landscape history of a region.

Vulnerable forest-dependent communities should be included.

The example of the Punjab’s Mansa district should be repeated everywhere in the country.