The Centre has released a revised roadmap for the Green India Mission (GIM), intensifying efforts to restore forest cover and address climate change. Announced on June 17, the plan expands its scope beyond afforestation to include restoration of critical ecosystems like the Aravallis, Himalayas, Western Ghats, and mangroves, while also tackling land degradation and desertification across vulnerable landscapes.
The Green India Mission, part of India’s National Action Plan on Climate Change, now prioritises ecologically sensitive zones for restoration. The updated strategy targets degraded landscapes in the Aravalli ranges, Himalayan foothills, mangrove belts, and the biodiversity-rich Western Ghats. These regions, often under stress from development and climate impacts, are central to India’s biodiversity and climate adaptation goals.
According to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), the revised GIM will include community-led afforestation, assisted natural regeneration, and enhanced eco-restoration techniques. These measures are expected to support ecosystem-based climate resilience while contributing to India’s commitments under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Bonn Challenge to restore 26 million hectares by 2030.
While earlier versions of GIM faced delays and budget shortfalls, officials now say the renewed plan incorporates learnings from past challenges. Greater emphasis is placed on inter-agency coordination, improved funding models, and real-time monitoring using remote sensing technologies. Capacity building among forest-dependent communities and local governance units is also a major focus in the revised framework.
Experts have welcomed the mission’s expanded scope, calling it a timely move in the face of escalating climate threats and land degradation. However, they caution that success depends on decentralised implementation, community participation, and ensuring that tribal rights under the Forest Rights Act are respected. Environmental groups also stress the need for transparent progress tracking and impact audits.
The revamped Green India Mission signals a stronger national push toward ecosystem restoration, green cover expansion, and climate adaptation. By targeting forest regeneration across ecologically vital zones like the Himalayas, Aravallis, and mangroves, the government aims to build natural buffers against climate change. Its success, however, will rely on transparent governance, sustained funding, and grassroots participation for long-term environmental and social resilience.
