With its commitment to sustainable development and ecosystem integrity, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has shown unprecedented commitment towards environmental conservation and the challenge of climate change.
With our forest cover registering an increase in the latest estimates , the Modi government has actively pursued initiatives to conserve, sustain, and augment forests across India.
The Green India Mission (GIM) was launched in 2015 as one of the eight Missions under the National Action Plan on Climate Change. The Mission is designed to protect and improve the forest cover in India. It provides financial assistance to state/UT governments to supplement their afforestation and tree plantation efforts. A total of Rs. 755 crore has been released in the last five years for afforestation activities across 17 states and one UT.
With an extended focus on ecosystem services, preserving critical habitats and securing forest-based livelihoods, among others, the Mission adopts a cross-sectoral approach enriched by people's participation at all levels of program implementation.
To fund the regeneration of degraded forests, the National Afforestation Programme under the GIM has also released over Rs. 100 crore between FY20 and FY22.
The exercise in afforestation is augmented via the Compensatory Afforestation Fund (CAMPA), which offsets the loss of forest and tree cover resulting from the diversion of forest land for developmental projects. Over the past five years, over Rs. 55,000 Crore has been disbursed to the state/UT forest departments under the CAMPA funds.
In particular, catering to urban and peri-urban areas is the innovative Nagar Van Yojana that has been in implementation since 2020. The initiative utilises CAMPA funds to enhance green cover in these areas, promoting biological diversity, ecological benefits, and overall quality of life for city dwellers. A total of 270 projects have been approved under the scheme at a cost of over Rs. 200 crore, and more are in the pipeline.
Afforestation activities are also pursued under various other government programs such as the National Bamboo Mission, Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Scheme (MGNREGA), and Sub-Mission on Agroforestry, apart from several state-level and civil society-led initiatives. The synergistic efforts across multiple stakeholders have successfully conserved and enriched the nation's forest cover.
The government has also taken several steps to protect and preserve coastal forests, including mangroves. Initiatives like the National Coastal Mission Programme on Conservation and Management of Mangroves and Coral Reefs are vital in safeguarding mangroves that act as the first line of defence for coastal communities and stabilise shorelines.
Further, to combat and mitigate the impact of forest fires, the Modi government actively aids states/UT governments by providing financial assistance for an array of measures. These include modern tools for fire extinguishing, creation and upkeep of fire lines and water storages, fortification of overall forest infrastructure, soil and moisture conservation measures, and compensation to local communities affected by forest fires.
Another unique initiative of the Modi government is the Harit Bharat Sankalp, a plantation drive aimed at creating green corridors along highways across India. This drive mitigates the impact of deforestation while also promoting biodiversity. Harit Path, a mobile app, monitors the implementation of the campaign via geo-tagging and other web-based GIS-enabled tools. The project exemplifies the government's dedication to integrating ecological considerations into infrastructure development.
From afforestation initiatives to integrating green spaces in urban planning, it is evident that PM Modi's government employs a forward-thinking approach to environmental conservation. These efforts contribute to the global fight against climate change and ensure a sustainable and resilient future for India. The journey toward a greener horizon reflects a profound vision, backed by policy decisions, for a harmonious coexistence between development and nature. Narendra Modi's government has demonstrated to the world how India's resolve has led to the preservation of its rich and diverse ecosystems.
