The Maharashtra government has unveiled a sweeping plan to plant 100 million trees across the state this year.
This initiative, part of the newly announced ‘Green Maharashtra, Prosperous Maharashtra’ campaign, signals an urgent and long-overdue shift in policy as infrastructure-led deforestation has recently intensified. The announcement comes against the backdrop of nearly half a million trees being felled across the state in the last year alone for large-scale infrastructure projects. With the forest cover currently standing at just 21.25% in Maharashtra—significantly below the national average of 25.17%—the state’s renewed commitment reflects both ecological urgency and long-term economic foresight.
The new plantation drive aims to realign development with sustainability. With a parallel target of another 100 million trees set for the following year, the campaign’s larger mission is to achieve the benchmark of 33% forest cover, a target aligned with national ecological standards. This would require sustained, year-on-year mobilisation over two decades, executed with precision and in “mission mode”, according to state officials. Past efforts have proven the state’s capability, with previous campaigns reportedly planting over 830 million saplings cumulatively in recent years. However, environmental experts and civic voices argue that it is not just the quantity of saplings but their survival and strategic location that matter. They point out that densely populated urban centres like Mumbai, facing record-breaking temperatures and increasing heat islands, must be prioritised in the upcoming drive.
To improve survival rates, the state plans to plant saplings aged at least 1.5 years and deploy technology, including artificial intelligence, satellite imagery, and remote sensing tools, to track progress and ensure transparency. The campaign will also integrate a new monitoring system developed by the public works department to oversee the health and growth of planted saplings over time. The government has emphasised that each participating department must actively contribute by allocating land and producing region-specific, climate-resilient saplings through decentralised nurseries. Notably, areas alongside highways, expressways, pilgrimage routes, and urban spaces will be utilised—maximising green coverage outside designated forests.
However, the challenge is far from simple. Experts have flagged concerns over the logistical and ecological feasibility of such an ambitious project. Environmentalists warn that planting large numbers of saplings cannot substitute for the mature trees being routinely chopped for construction and infrastructure. They argue for a more balanced approach—preserving old-growth trees, integrating green infrastructure in urban planning, and involving citizens more actively in long-term tree care. In areas like Marathwada, which suffer from critically low forest cover, and industrial zones such as Gadchiroli, where ten million trees are earmarked for planting next year, the campaign presents both a challenge and an opportunity. Localised campaigns tailored to regional climate and soil conditions are being developed to ensure successful afforestation.
Meanwhile, concerns remain over departmental coordination. Internal criticism suggests that the forest department has historically deflected its responsibility, relying instead on civic bodies to implement plantation drives. This time, the state has made it clear—the accountability lies squarely with the department. The campaign’s success will ultimately depend on consistent follow-through, citizen engagement, and a willingness to rethink how development coexists with ecological integrity. If implemented with genuine intent, the 100 million tree drive could be a turning point not just for Maharashtra’s climate resilience, but for reimagining Indian cities as sustainable, equitable, and green.
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