India's Afforestation Efforts: How Many Trees Are Planted in India?

India is a country with a diverse range of landscapes, from the Himalayas in the north to the tropical forests in the south. However, rapid urbanization and deforestation have significantly reduced the green cover in recent decades, resulting in ecological imbalances and climate change. To combat this, the Indian government has undertaken massive afforestation efforts, planting billions of trees across the country. So, how many trees are planted in India? Here's an overview.

The "Green India Mission"

In 2014, the Indian government launched its ambitious "Green India Mission" with the aim of increasing forest cover by 5 million hectares (ha) and enhancing the quality of existing forest cover by 2030. As a part of this mission, the government has set a target of planting 2 billion trees in the country's forests, urban areas, and rural lands by 2020.

The Plantation Drive Initiative

Under the "Plantation Drive" initiative, launched in 2016, the Indian government aims to tackle deforestation and improve the environment by planting millions of trees across the country. The initiative is a public-private partnership involving companies, NGOs, and individual citizens. The plantation drive is conducted in rural and urban areas, schools, colleges, and government offices, with a target of planting 10 crore (100 million) trees annually.

The National Afforestation Programme

The National Afforestation Programme (NAP) was initiated in 2002 to combat deforestation and promote afforestation in the country. Under the programme, the government provides financial assistance to states for the implementation of afforestation and reforestation activities. As of 2021, the programme has supported the planting of over 5 billion trees in the country.

The "Harit Diwali, Swasth Diwali" Campaign

The "Harit Diwali, Swasth Diwali" campaign was launched in 2017 to promote the planting of trees during the festival season to reduce pollution caused by firecrackers. The campaign encourages people to plant trees instead of burning crackers, as trees absorb harmful pollutants and keep the air clean. The campaign has been successful in spreading awareness and promoting the planting of trees across the country, with many people volunteering to plant trees in their local areas.

The Impact of Afforestation Efforts

The massive afforestation efforts undertaken by the Indian government have significantly increased the country's forest cover in recent years. According to the India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2019, India's forest cover has increased by 5,188 square kilometers (sq km) or 0.56% since 2017. The report also indicates that the total forest and tree cover in India has increased to 80.73 million ha or 24.56% of the country's geographical area.

In conclusion, the Indian government's afforestation efforts have been successful in increasing the country's green cover in recent years. While there is still much work to be done to combat deforestation and promote afforestation, these initiatives have made a significant impact on the environment and have set an example for other countries to follow.