Introduction
India, with its diverse ecosystems and growing population, faces critical environmental challenges such as deforestation, land degradation, and climate change. In response to these threats, the Government of India under ministry of Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) launched the Green India Mission (GIM) — a bold step toward ecological sustainability, forest-based livelihoods, and climate resilience.
Formally launched in 2014 as part of the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), the mission aims to enhance forest cover, restore degraded ecosystems, and improve ecosystem services while addressing the needs of forest-dependent communities.
What is the Green India Mission (GIM)?
The Green India Mission (GIM) is one of the eight core missions under the NAPCC. It seeks to:
“Protect, restore, and enhance India’s forest cover and respond to climate change by enhancing ecosystem services and forest-based livelihoods.”
Objectives of Green India Mission
The Green India Mission (GIM) aims to enhance ecosystem services and forest-based livelihoods through afforestation and eco-restoration activities. Its key objectives include increasing forest and tree cover, improving the quality of existing forests, enhancing biodiversity, improving ecosystem services like water, soil, and climate regulation, and promoting climate adaptation by involving local communities in forest governance and management.
| Objective No. | Target Area |
|---|---|
| 1 | Increase forest/tree cover on 5 million hectares of land |
| 2 | Improve quality of forest cover on another 5 million hectares |
| 3 | Enhance ecosystem services such as biodiversity and water |
| 4 | Increase forest-based livelihood opportunities |
| 5 | Strengthen community-based forest governance |
| 6 | Adapt forest ecosystems to climate change |
Key Features of the Green India Mission
- The Green India Mission (GIM) features a landscape-based, decentralized, and participatory approach to afforestation, focusing on both ecological restoration and livelihood enhancement.
- It emphasizes the use of indigenous species, convergence with schemes like MGNREGA and CAMPA, and community participation through Joint Forest Management Committees and Gram Sabhas.
- The mission also integrates climate resilience, biodiversity conservation, and technological tools like GIS and remote sensing for monitoring progress.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Part of NAPCC | One of the eight missions under the National Action Plan on Climate Change |
| Target-Based | Focus on quantifiable targets such as increasing forest/tree cover |
| Participatory Approach | Emphasizes Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMCs) and Gram Sabhas |
| Multi-Ministerial Involvement | Coordinated by MoEFCC with support from Rural Development and Tribal Affairs |
| Period of Implementation | 10 years (initially from 2014 to 2023, with extensions and scaling planned) |
| Convergence Focus | Converges with MGNREGA, CAMPA, PMKSY, etc. for resource efficiency |
Implementation Mechanism of Green India Mission
Bottom-Up Planning Approach
The Green India Mission follows a participatory planning process:
- Gram Sabha & Village Committees prepare micro-plans.
- These are aggregated into Cluster-Level Plans.
- Plans are further consolidated at the State Level and submitted to MoEFCC.
Execution Bodies
- Village-Level Execution:
- Gram Sabhas, Self-Help Groups (SHGs), and JFMCs.
- District-Level Oversight:
- District Forest Officials coordinate convergence with schemes like MGNREGA and NRLM.
- State Nodal Agencies:
- Forest Departments with dedicated GIM cells.
- National Oversight:
- MoEFCC monitors progress and releases funds.
Target Areas and Afforestation Goals
| Activity | Area (in million hectares) |
|---|---|
| Afforestation on degraded forest land | 1.5 |
| Afforestation on non-forest degraded land | 1.8 |
| Agroforestry and social forestry | 0.9 |
| Forest improvement (existing low-density areas) | 1.8 |
| Urban and peri-urban greening | 0.2 |
| Institutional and community lands | 0.8 |
Total Goal: 10 million hectares, with a special focus on tribal and forest-dependent communities.
Funding Sources of GIM
| Source | Description |
|---|---|
| Government of India Budget | Allocations through Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change |
| CAMPA Funds | Compensatory Afforestation Management Planning Authority funds |
| MGNREGA | For soil conservation and water harvesting work |
| International Funding | UNDP, World Bank, GCF partnerships |
| Convergence with other Schemes | PMKSY, NRLM, National Bamboo Mission |
Institutional Framework
- The institutional framework of the Green India Mission involves a multi-tiered structure, with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) as the nodal agency at the national level.
- At the state level, State Forest Departments implement the mission through dedicated GIM cells. District-level authorities coordinate local implementation, while community institutions like Gram Sabhas, Self-Help Groups (SHGs), and Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMCs) are actively engaged in planning and execution.
- This decentralized setup ensures grassroots participation and convergence with other development programs.
| Institution | Role |
|---|---|
| MoEFCC | Nodal Ministry for policy and implementation |
| State Forest Departments | Execution of afforestation and restoration activities |
| Gram Sabhas | Approve micro-plans, monitor projects, and ensure participatory governance |
| JFMCs (Joint Forest Management Committees) | Execute village-level plans and involve local communities |
Notable Success Stories
Maharashtra (Chandrapur District)
- Over 10,000 hectares afforested using native species.
- Women-led SHGs earning through nursery development and NTFP collection.
Odisha (Kandhamal)
- Tribal communities trained to manage forest micro-plans.
- Significant reduction in seasonal migration due to enhanced forest livelihoods.
Himachal Pradesh
- Oak and Deodar plantations in degraded hill slopes.
- 75% increase in groundwater recharge observed in 3 years.
Achievements So Far (As per MoEFCC)
- Over 1.8 million hectares of degraded land restored.
- Nearly 50,000 villages engaged through local governance structures.
- Improved carbon sequestration and biodiversity conservation.
- Employment generation under MGNREGA linked to GIM activities.
- Promotion of non-timber forest produce (NTFP) for local economies.
Importance of GIM in Climate Change Mitigation
The Green India Mission plays a key role in India’s international commitments:
Paris Agreement Commitments (NDCs)
- GIM helps meet India’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) of:
- Creating an additional 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of carbon sink by 2030.
- Reducing emission intensity of GDP by 45% from 2005 levels.
SDG Alignment
| SDG Goal | Contribution of GIM |
|---|---|
| SDG 13 – Climate Action | Enhances carbon sequestration |
| SDG 15 – Life on Land | Protects terrestrial ecosystems, forests, and biodiversity |
| SDG 1 & 8 | Promotes rural employment and livelihood opportunities |
Green India Mission vs CAMPA vs National Afforestation Programme
| Feature | Green India Mission | CAMPA | NAP (Old Scheme) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Focus | Ecosystem restoration | Compensatory Afforestation | Afforestation on degraded land |
| Community Involvement | High | Moderate | Moderate |
| Funded By | MoEFCC, MGNREGA, CAMPA | Diversion of forest land fees | MoEFCC budget |
| Scope | Climate + Livelihood + Biodiversity | Limited to forest loss compensation | Forestry-based |
Recent Developments
- National Mission for a Green India App launched for tracking plantation data.
- GIM integrated into Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme (DILRMP) for land-use planning.
- GIS-based monitoring being piloted in 13 states for real-time progress updates.
- Encouragement of Urban Forestry under GIM 2.0.
Challenges in Implementation
| Challenge | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Fund Delays | Irregular and insufficient fund releases from central and state governments |
| Capacity Constraints | Lack of technical expertise at grassroots and panchayat levels |
| Poor Community Participation | Inadequate sensitization of local people in many areas |
| Bureaucratic Delays | Complex approval and monitoring procedures |
| Overlap with other schemes | Lack of coordination with CAMPA, MGNREGA, and other environmental missions |
Way Forward
- Ensure Timely Funding from both Central and State Governments.
- Capacity Building of local institutions and Panchayat-level training.
- Decentralized Monitoring via third-party audits.
- Convergence with CSR Funds and international donors like GCF.
- Inclusion of Climate-Resilient Species based on agro-climatic zones.
- Recognition for Green Champions to encourage community participation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the main goal of Green India Mission?
To increase and restore forest cover while ensuring ecosystem services and livelihood security.
Is GIM a part of any international commitment?
Yes, it supports India’s Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement.
What is the duration of the mission?
Initially planned for 10 years from 2014; now being extended and integrated with newer climate policies.
Who implements the GIM at the grassroots level?
Gram Sabhas, JFMCs, and State Forest Departments implement the mission with community participation.
Conclusion
The Green India Mission is a visionary step by India towards combating climate change through forest-based solutions. Its strength lies in its holistic approach, blending climate resilience, ecosystem conservation, and community empowerment. However, realizing its full potential requires better funding, coordination, capacity-building, and technological adoption.
In the age of environmental urgency, missions like GIM aren’t just programs—they are lifelines for our planet.
