India's Green India Mission under scrutiny for counting trees over restoring forests

India is counting trees when it should be restoring forests

Source

The Hindu — Editorial →

Quick Revision

Prelims-testable facts

01The Green India Mission was launched in 2014 under the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC).
02The mission aims to expand forest and tree cover, improve ecosystem services, and strengthen carbon sequestration.
03The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) found a 98% shortfall in the Green India Mission's forest cover targets over ten years.
04Financial mismanagement and improper planning were cited as key reasons for the shortfall in the CAG report.
05The Green India Mission was intended to protect, restore, and enhance India's forest cover and improve ecosystem services.
06The mission's objectives include improving the quality of forest/non-forest lands and ecosystem services, including biodiversity and hydrological services.

Trap alerts

Most people think the Green India Mission was a complete failure, but actually it had some achievements, although they were not sufficient to meet its targets.
Most people think the CAG report highlighted only the shortcomings of the Green India Mission, but actually it also pointed out some areas where the mission had made progress.

Mains Practice Question

Critically examine the implications of counting trees instead of restoring forests under the Green India Mission.

250 words

Practice this in the exam hall →

Prelims Practice MCQs

Single facteasy

The Green India Mission was launched by which ministry?

A.Ministry of Environment and Forests
B.Ministry of Rural Development
C.Ministry of Urban Development
D.Ministry of Agriculture

The Green India Mission is a flagship programme of the Ministry of Environment and Forests, aimed at expanding the country's green cover.

Statement I & IIhard

Consider the following two statements: Statement-I: The Green India Mission has not been able to achieve its targets. Statement-II: This is because the mission has been counting trees instead of restoring forests. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

A.Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
B.Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct but Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
C.Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
D.Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct

The CAG audit report noted that the mission has been counting trees instead of restoring forests (FACT 5), which is why the mission has not been able to achieve its targets (FACT 4).

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