CAG audit reveals Green India Mission failed to improve forest quality, focus on tree planting
A Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) audit found that the Green India Mission (GIM), aimed at healing India's forests, achieved almost nothing in a decade. GIM improved forest quality over only 0.11 million hectares, far short of its 1.4 million hectare target, and barely expanded forest cover by 4%. The mission, once a key pillar of the National Action Plan on Climate Change (2008), has been sidelined, replaced by the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' drive. The ISFR 2023 shows a green cover gain of 1,445 sq km, but only 156 sq km is true forest, with dense canopy thinning into scrub, indicating a focus on plantation numbers over ecological restoration.
Key Points
- The CAG audit found that the Green India Mission (GIM) largely failed to meet its objectives of improving forest quality.
- GIM only achieved 0.11 million ha of forest quality improvement against a target of 1.4 million ha.
- The mission, part of the National Action Plan on Climate Change, has been replaced by the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' drive.
- Latest forest data indicates a focus on tree planting rather than true forest restoration, with dense canopy thinning.
- There is a critical need to shift from counting trees to holistic ecosystem restoration, strengthening scheme convergence, and community participation.
Exam Facts
- Green India Mission (GIM) target: Improve forest quality over 1.4 million ha.
- GIM achievement: 0.11 million ha.
- ISFR 2023: Green cover gain of 1,445 sq km, with only 156 sq km as true forest.
- GIM was one of eight pillars of National Action Plan on Climate Change (2008).
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