Revised Green India Mission

• 18 Jun 2025

Source: IE 

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) released the revised Green India Mission (GIM) plan for 2021–2030 on World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, observed on 17th June 2025. 

World Day to Combat Desertification and Droughts 

• It is observed annually by the UN on 17th June to raise awareness on desertification and drought, promoting sustainable land management.  
• It marks the adoption of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in 1994, the only global legally binding agreement linking environment, development, and sustainable land management.  
• The theme for 2025 is ‘Restore the Land. Unlock the Opportunities’.   

What is the Green India Mission (GIM)? 

• About: The Green India Mission (GIM) is one of the 8 missions under India’s National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), launched in February 2014.  
  • It aims to respond to climate change through a combination of mitigation and adaptation strategies, primarily focusing on forest-based ecosystem restoration. 
• Progress & Challenges: 
  • As of 2023, India’s forest cover is gradually increasing, with 11.22 million ha brought under plantations between 2015–16 and 2020–21 through GIM and related initiatives. 
  • However, challenges include funding gaps, invasive species plantations, and inadequate protection of old-growth forests. 
  • GIM's effective implementation is crucial for achieving 33% forest cover, as per national policy, and meeting India’s 2030 climate commitments. 

Aspect	Green India Mission (GIM) 2014	Revised GIM Plan (2021–2030)
Vision & Objectives	Aimed to protect, restore and enhance forest cover and respond to climate change via adaptation and mitigation.	Retains core objectives, now aligned with India’s NDC targets under the Paris Agreement, aiming to create a 2.5–3.0 billion tonnes CO₂-equivalent carbon sink by 2030.  It focuses on a micro-ecosystem approach targeting vulnerable landscapes such as Aravallis, Western Ghats, Indian Himalayan Region, Mangroves, Arid regions of Northwest India.
Targets	Afforestation on 5 million ha of non-forest land.  Improve forest quality on another 5 million ha.  CO₂ sequestration of 50–60 million tonnes annually.	Afforestation/restoration over 24–25 million ha (via GIM and convergence).  GIM to directly treat 1 mha by 2030.  Estimated carbon sink: up to 3.39 billion tonnes CO₂.
Sub-Missions	5 components:  Forest cover improvement  Ecosystem restoration  Urban greening  Agro/social forestry  Wetland restoration	3 components:  Forest quality & ecosystem services  Afforestation & ecosystem restoration  Livelihood enhancement for forest-dependent communities
Monitoring & Evaluation	Ground-level surveys  Remote sensing via Forest Survey of India (FSI)  Social audits planned	5-tier monitoring system including:  National-level monitoring via a dedicated cell using GIS and the National Afforestation Dashboard to track all plantation activities (Govt, private, NGOs).  Self-monitoring by implementing agencies.  Social audits by Gram Sabhas.  Satellite-based monitoring by Forest Survey of India (FSI) and expert agencies.  Third-party evaluations of intervention sites for accountability and transparency.

National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) 

• NAPCC is India’s overarching policy framework to address the challenges of climate change while ensuring sustainable development.  
• It was launched in 2008 with the aim to promote low-carbon, climate-resilient growth through a strategic and multi-sectoral approach. 
• It comprises the following 8 national missions, collectively addressing key sectors such as energy, water, agriculture, ecosystems, and urban habitats, with the goal of achieving inclusive and sustainable climate resilience. 
  • National Solar Mission 
  • National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency 
  • National Mission on Sustainable Habitat 
  • National Water Mission 
  • National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem 
  • National Mission for A Green India 
  • National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture 
  • National Mission on Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change 

What are the Government Initiatives to Enhance Forest Cover? 

• National Afforestation Programme (NAP), launched in 2000 by MoEFCC to regenerate degraded forests and adjoining areas, has now been merged with the Green India Mission for unified implementation. 
• Nagar Van Yojana (NVY), launched in 2020, the scheme targets the creation of 600 Nagar Vans and 400 Nagar Vatikas in urban and peri-urban areas by 2024–25. 
• Compensatory Afforestation Fund (CAMPA has been implemented to offset the diversion of forest land for development projects. 
  • Under the CAMPA mechanism, 90% of the funds are allocated to the States/UTs, while 10% is retained by the Centre.  
• Multi-Departmental and Convergent Approaches for afforestation is also undertaken through convergence with other schemes such as Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, National Bamboo Mission, and Sub-Mission on Agroforestry. 
  • Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) 
  • National Bamboo Mission 
  • Sub-Mission on Agroforestry 
  • Contributions by State Governments, NGOs, civil society, and corporate entities under CSR. 

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ) 

Prelims

Q1. At the national level, which ministry is the nodal agency to ensure effective implementation of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006? (2021) 

(a) Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change 
(b) Ministry of Panchayati Raj 
(c) Ministry of Rural Development 
(d) Ministry of Tribal Affairs 

Ans: (d) 

Q2. A particular State in India has the following characteristics: (2012) 

1. It is located on the same latitude which passes through northern Rajasthan. 
2. It has over 80% of its area under forest cover. 
3. Over 12% of forest cover constitutes the Protected Area Network in this State. 

Which one among the following States has all the above characteristics? 

(a) Arunachal Pradesh 
(b) Assam 
(c) Himachal Pradesh 
(d) Uttarakhand 

Ans: (a)