Green India Mission

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A recent Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) performance audit has highlighted major weaknesses in the implementation of the Green India Mission (GIM) during 2015–16 to 2024–25 across 16 States/Union Territories.

About Green India Mission

1. National Mission for a Green India (GIM) is one of the eight missions under the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), launched by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) in 2014, with implementation beginning in 2015–16.
2. GIM follows a landscape-based approach, covering both forest and non-forest areas, with participation of local institutions such as Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMCs).
3. It seeks to protect, restore and enhance forest and tree cover while addressing climate change through both adaptation and mitigation measures.

Key Objectives and Revised Targets

1. Expand Cover: Increase forest and tree cover by 5 million hectares (Mha) and improve quality on another 5 Mha.
2. Carbon Sink: Help create an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalent by 2030.
3. Livelihoods: Increase forest-based livelihood income of about 3 million households.
4. Support alternative energy sources such as biogas, LPG, solar devices and improved biomass systems to reduce dependence on fuelwood.
5. Ecosystem Services: Enhance carbon sequestration, biodiversity, and water security.

Significance

1. Climate Action: Increases carbon absorption through forests, supporting India’s 2030 carbon-sink target of 2.5–3 billion tonnes CO₂e.
2. Forest Restoration: Promotes restoration of degraded forests; 1,55,130 hectares had been covered through GIM activities by 2024–25.
3. Water & Soil Security: Forest restoration supports water regulation, groundwater recharge and soil conservation.
4. Livelihood Support: Creates income opportunities for forest-dependent communities through plantation and forest-based activities.
5. National Green Cover: Contributes to the broader increase in forest and tree cover, which stood at 25.17% of India’s geographical area as per ISFR 2023.

Major CAG Findings

1. Inadequate Funding: Against the proposed ₹10,600 crore, only ₹1,149.14 crore was received during 2015–16 to 2024–25. This limited the scale of GIM implementation.
2. Weak Convergence: Coordination with CAMPA, MGNREGS, Nagar Van Yojana and School Nursery Yojana were poor which limited the sharing of funds, expertise and infrastructure.
3. Poor Planning: Plantation sites were not always chosen based on ecological needs and climate risks which reduced the impact of plantation activities.
4. Irregular Monitoring:
5. Monitoring and verification of achievements were inadequate.
6. 14 States/UTs did not provide required public links, while GIS assessment found no clear GIM impact at around 70% of sampled sites.
7. Gaps in Record Keeping: 8 States/UTs did not maintain annual accounts, while others had unaudited or inaccurate accounts, weakening financial accountability.
8. Limited Capacity: Shortage of trained staff and technical expertise can affect the quality of field implementation.
9. Fragmented Land Management: Restoration across different land categories requires better coordination among land-owning agencies.

Way Forward

1. Scientific Planning: Prioritise degraded and climate-vulnerable areas based on scientific assessment.
2. Outcome-Based Approach: Measure plant survival, forest quality, biodiversity and carbon gains, not just plantation numbers.
3. Better Convergence: Integrate GIM, CAMPA, MGNREGS and other schemes for better use of resources.
4. Transparent Monitoring: Use GIS, independent audits and public data to track progress.
5. Financial Accountability: Ensure proper records, timely audits and effective fund utilisation.
6. Community Participation: Involve Gram Sabhas and local communities in forest protection and restoration.
7. Performance-Based Funding: Link funding to measurable ecological outcomes rather than expenditure or area planted.

UPSC FAQs

Q1. What is the Green India Mission (GIM)?
Ans: GIM is one of the eight missions under NAPCC, launched in 2014 by MoEFCC to protect, restore and enhance forest and tree cover.

Q2. What are the major targets of GIM?
Ans: It aims to increase forest and tree cover over 5 Mha, improve quality over another 5 Mha, support a 2.5–3 billion tonnes CO₂e carbon sink by 2030, and improve livelihoods of about 3 million forest-dependent households.

Q3. What were the major issues identified by the CAG?
Ans: The CAG highlighted inadequate funding, weak convergence, poor planning, monitoring gaps, record-keeping deficiencies and limited institutional capacity.

Q4. How is GIM linked to India’s climate goals?
Ans: GIM supports carbon sequestration, biodiversity and climate resilience and contributes to India’s target of creating an additional 2.5–3 billion tonnes CO₂e carbon sink by 2030.

Q5. What was the significance of GIS assessment in the CAG audit?
Ans: GIS-based assessment found no clear GIM impact at around 70% of sampled sites, highlighting the need for stronger monitoring and verification.

Q6. How can GIM implementation be improved?
Ans: India should adopt scientific planning, outcome-based monitoring, better convergence, community participation, transparent fund management and performance-based funding.