Introduction

India is known for its diverse flora and fauna. The country is home to around 7% of the world's biodiversity. However, rapid industrialization, urbanization and deforestation have led to a decline in green cover in the country. With the aim of reversing this trend, the Indian government and various organizations have been making efforts to increase the number of trees planted each year.

Trends in Tree Plantation

According to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, India has been steadily increasing its tree plantation efforts over the last few years. In 2016, over 2 billion trees were planted under the "Green India Mission". In 2017, the government launched the "Nagar Van Yojana" scheme, which aims to create urban forests in cities and towns. As of 2021, the government has set a target of planting 10 billion trees under its forestry programs over the next 10 years.

Government Initiatives

The government has been putting in significant efforts towards increasing green cover in the country. Some of the initiatives include:

Green India Mission: This scheme was launched in 2014 with the goal of increasing the country's forest cover by 5 million hectares and increasing the quality of existing forests.

Nagar Van Yojana: Launched in 2020, this scheme aims to develop city forests in 200 urban areas across the country.

Compensatory Afforestation Fund: The government has established a fund to utilise funds from industries and businesses that destroy forests for afforestation activities.

Private Initiatives

Along with the government, many private organizations and individuals have also been contributing towards increasing the number of trees planted each year. Some of the initiatives include:

Corporate Social Responsibility: Many companies have included afforestation activities in their CSR initiatives. For example, Tata Motors pledged to plant 1 million trees in communities across the country.

Individual Efforts: Numerous individuals have been planting trees in their communities to increase green cover. Social media campaigns like "#OnePersonOneTree" have also been encouraging citizens to take up tree plantation.

Challenges

Despite the efforts of the government and private organizations, there are a few challenges in increasing the number of trees planted each year. Some of the challenges include:

Lack of Awareness: Many people are not aware of the importance of trees for the environment and are not motivated to participate in tree plantation activities.

Land Availability: India has a high population density and finding land for afforestation activities can be a challenge.

Maintenance: Planting a tree is just the first step. Proper care and maintenance are required to ensure that the trees survive and grow to their full potential.

Conclusion

Increasing the number of trees planted each year in India is crucial for the environment and the well-being of its citizens. With the support of the government and private organizations, the country has been making positive strides towards this goal. However, there is still a long way to go and ongoing efforts are required to ensure a greener future for India.