Green India Mission (GIM) Revised Roadmap:

Why in News? The Centre released a revised roadmap for the National Mission for Green India (Green India Mission or GIM) on June 17, 2025. The updated plan focuses on region-specific restoration efforts to combat climate change and land degradation.

Relevance : UPSC Pre &  Mains

Prelims : GIM/other related initiatives

Mains :   GS 3/ Environment.

Key Highlights:

Objective and Achievements

• Launched: 2014 under the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC).
• Core Objectives:

• • Combat climate change by increasing forest and green cover.
  • Restore degraded ecosystems.
  • Improve livelihoods for forest-dependent communities.

• Target:

• • Increase forest/tree cover on 5 million hectares.
  • Improve forest quality on an additional 5 million hectares.

• Achievements (2015-2021):

• • Tree plantation and afforestation activities across 11.22 million hectares.
  • Funding (2019-2024):

• • • Allocated: Rs 624.71 crore
    • Utilized: Rs575.55 crore (across 18 states).

Revised Roadmap

Focus Areas:

• • Ecological restoration in Aravalli ranges, Western Ghats, Himalayas, and mangrove ecosystems.
  • Area-specific restoration practices aligned with ecological needs.

Key Projects:

Aravalli Green Wall Project:

• • • Target: Combat degradation and desertification in the Aravallis.
    • Coverage: 8 lakh hectares across 29 districts in 4 states.
    • Key Activities: Forest area restoration, grasslands and water systems rejuvenation, native species plantations.
    • Estimated Cost: ₹16,053 crore.
    • Aim: Buffer zone creation of 5 km around the mountain range to mitigate dust pollution and sandstorms.

 Western Ghats Restoration:

• • • Activities: Afforestation, groundwater recharge, eco-restoration of abandoned mining sites.

Land Degradation and Desertification Combat Strategy:

• Current Status:

• • 97.85 million hectares (1/3rd of India’s geographical area) degraded (2018-19, ISRO Atlas).

• National Goals (2030):

• • Create a carbon sink of 2.5-3 billion tonnes via forest and tree cover.

• Role of Natural Carbon Sinks:

• • Forests, restored grasslands, wetlands, and mountain ecosystems to act as barriers and sponges for climate impact.

Significance:

1. Strengthens India’s climate commitments under the Paris Agreement and UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
2. Addresses critical issues like dust pollution, desertification, and ecological degradation.
3. Provides livelihood support to forest-dependent communities.

Enhances resilience against the adverse impacts of climate change