Syllabus
GS Paper 3 – Environment – Environmental pollution and degradation
Context
The degradation of forest landscapes due to uncontrolled and unsustainable exploitation of resources has led to significant environmental challenges.
Source
The Hindu| Editorial dated 19th July 2024
The issue with tree planting schemes
Tree planting schemes have emerged as a widely endorsed strategy to combat climate change and restore degraded ecosystems. However, despite their popularity and the goodwill they generate, these schemes face several critical issues that undermine their effectiveness.
Definitions of Forests
FAO Definition
- Criteria: Forests must have at least a 10% canopy cover, trees should reach a minimum height of 5 meters, and the area should be at least 5 hectares.
- Areas where agriculture is the dominant land use are not considered forests under this definition.
UNFCCC Definition
- Criteria: Forests must have a canopy cover between 10-30%, trees should be between 2-5 meters in height, and the area should be at least 1 hectare.
- This definition allows for a broader range of forest characteristics compared to the FAO.
Forest Definition in India
- State Jurisdiction: States have the authority to define forests based on local conditions and needs.
- Legal Basis: The N. Godavarman Thirumulkpad vs. Union of India case (1996) provides a legal framework for states to define forests, emphasizing adherence to dictionary meanings.
Tree Planting
- Effectiveness: Tree planting is a popular and effective approach to address climate-related crises and environmental challenges.
- Carbon Sequestration: Trees help in biological carbon sequestration by storing and removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
- Global Effort: Mass-scale tree planting is seen as a key solution for tackling climate change, involving governments, NGOs, and individuals.
- Historical Initiative: In 1950, the Indian Agriculture Minister launched the Van Mahotsava (‘festival of trees’) programme, celebrated annually in the first week of July.
Global and National Tree Planting Initiatives
- UN Initiative: The UN declared 2021-2030 as the Decade of Ecosystem Restoration.
- Targets: Restore 350 million hectares of degraded land, generate $9 trillion in ecosystem services, and sequester an additional 13-26 gigatons of greenhouse gases.
- Notable Campaigns:
- Single day planting drives in various Indian states.
- “One Trillion Project” by the World Economic Forum.
- “Great Green Wall of China”.
- “10 Billion Tree Tsunami” of Pakistan.
- ” Bonn Challenge” to restore 150 million hectares by 2020 and 350 million hectares by 2030.
- Media Attention: Catchy slogans, glamorous drives, and headline-grabbing campaigns attract media attention and public involvement.
Government Initiatives
- Commitments: In a joint address with the US President in 2023, the Prime Minister stated that India is the only G20 country that has fulfilled its commitments under the Paris Agreement.
- Achievements: In a 2024 Rajya Sabha address, the Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change announced that India has achieved an additional carbon sink of 1.97 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent.
- Steps Taken for Forest Restoration
- Nagar Van Yojana (NVY): An initiative aimed at developing urban forests.
- National Forest Policy (NFP) 1988: Provides a comprehensive framework for forest management and conservation.
- National Mission for a Green India (GIM): Focuses on enhancing forest/tree cover and restoring ecosystems.
- Forest Fire Protection & Management Scheme (FFPM): Addresses forest fire prevention and management.
- Compensatory Afforestation Fund: Provides funds for afforestation and regeneration activities to compensate for forest land diverted to non-forest uses.
Issues with Tree Planting Drives
- Limited Community Participation: Limited involvement from local communities.
- Post-Planting Measures: Lack of adequate follow-up care and promotion of monoculture.
- Ecological Considerations: Neglect of local ecological contexts and involvement of people.
- Study Findings:
- Joseph Veldman Study: Planting trees in certain locations, such as grasslands and animal habitats, can damage ecosystems, increase wildfire intensity, and exacerbate global warming.
- William Bond and Colleagues Study: Grasslands should not be considered deforested or degraded lands for tree planting; these lands are highly productive and biodiverse, supporting livestock and people.
- Cost-Effectiveness: Tree planting alone is not always a cost-effective climate solution compared to other approaches, such as tree islands (planting in small patches).
India’s Challenges
- Encroachment: Nearly 10 million hectares of forests are under encroachment.
- Dependence: 27.5 crore people depend on forests for subsistence.
- Forest Loss: 5.7 million hectares of forest land have been lost for non-forestry purposes since Independence.
- These challenges affect India’s goal to restore 26 million hectares of degraded forests by 2030 and improve forest cover through tree planting.
Way Forward
- Policy Introspection: India’s recent policy changes need introspection to address inherent challenges.
- Prioritization: Strategies should prioritize adequate finances, active community participation, and technical considerations.
- Public Awareness: Campaigns, social media, and incentivized community participation can help bring changes to forest ecosystems.
- Resilient Forests: Efforts should aim to create resilient forests with diverse capacities and capabilities.
Conclusion
While tree planting is a crucial component of environmental restoration efforts, it is not a standalone solution. Effective forest restoration requires a comprehensive approach that includes community involvement, technical expertise, and continuous monitoring. By addressing these factors, we can enhance the success of reforestation initiatives and contribute to a more sustainable and resilient ecological system.
Related PYQ
Examine the status of forest resources of India and its resultant impact on climate change? [ UPSC Civil Services Exam – Mains 2020]
Practice Question
Highlight the challenges faced by tree planting initiatives and suggest measures to improve their effectiveness, particularly in the context of India? [150 words]