The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) released the revised Green India Mission (GIM) Plan 2021–2030 on World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, observed on 17th June 2025.
- The theme for 2025: “Restore the Land. Unlock the Opportunities.”
World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought
- Observed every year on June 17 under the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).
- Aims to raise awareness about sustainable land management to tackle land degradation, drought, and desertification.
Green India Mission (GIM):
- Part of India’s National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC); launched in February 2014.
- Objectives:
- Enhance and restore forest ecosystems.
- Address climate change via mitigation and adaptation
Progress and Challenges
- Achievements:
- Between 2015–16 and 2020–21, 22 million hectares brought under plantations via GIM and other initiatives.
- Challenges:
- Funding gaps, use of invasive species, limited protection for old-growth forests.
- Need to align forest restoration with India’s 33% forest cover target and 2030 climate goals.
Comparison: GIM 2014 vs Revised GIM 2021–2030
| Aspect | GIM 2014 | GIM 2021-2030 |
| Vision | Restore & enhance forest cover; respond to climate change. | Aligned with India’s NDC under the Paris Agreement; aims to create 2.5–3.0 billion tonnes CO₂-equivalent carbon sink by 2030. |
| Focus | General afforestation & restoration. | Micro-ecosystem approach: Aravallis, Himalayas, Mangroves, Western Ghats, Northwest Arid Zones. |
| Targets | – Afforest 5 mha of non-forest land.
– Improve 5 mha of forest land. – Sequester 50–60 MT CO₂ annually. |
– Afforest/restore 24–25 mha (through convergence).
– Directly treat 1 mha by 2030. – Estimated 3.39 billion tonnes CO₂ sink. |
| Sub-Missions | 5 components:
– Forest cover – Ecosystem restoration – Urban greening – Agroforestry – Wetland restoration |
3 components:
– Forest quality & ecosystem services – Afforestation & restoration – Livelihood support to forest-dependent communities |
| Monitoring | – Ground surveys
– Remote sensing by FSI – Social audits |
5-tier system:
– National GIS-based monitoring cell – Implementing agency self-monitoring – Social audits by Gram Sabhas – FSI and expert agency monitoring – Third-party evaluation |
Significance of Revised GIM
- Supports India’s updated NDC target under Paris Agreement.
- Aids in carbon sink creation, combating desertification, and ensuring livelihood security.
- Strengthens climate resilience and ecosystem sustainability in vulnerable regions.
- Reflects a shift from mere afforestation to ecosystem-based landscape restoration.
NAPCC: India’s Climate Action Framework
- Launched in 2008; includes 8 National Missions:
- National Solar Mission
- National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency
- National Mission on Sustainable Habitat
- National Water Mission
- National Mission for Sustaining Himalayan Ecosystem
- Green India Mission
- National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture
- National Mission on Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change
Key Government Initiatives for Forest Enhancement
- National Afforestation Programme (NAP):
- Launched in 2000, now merged with GIM for unified implementation.
- Nagar Van Yojana (2020):
- Target: 600 Nagar Vans and 400 Nagar Vatikas in urban areas by 2024–25.
- Compensatory Afforestation Fund (CAMPA):
- Funded by project developers diverting forest land; 90% to States/UTs, 10% retained by Centre.
- Convergence with Other Schemes:
- MGNREGS, National Bamboo Mission, Sub-Mission on Agroforestry.
- CSR contributions, NGOs, State Governments play a vital role.
The revised Green India Mission 2021–2030 is a pivotal instrument in India’s journey towards net-zero emissions, ecological restoration, and inclusive climate action. Effective monitoring, multi-departmental convergence, and community participation will be critical to its success.
