PrepZen Daily Current Affairs & Exam Desk
Editorial · 3 min read · THE HINDU PAPER EDITORIAL

India's Green Mission: A Reality Check on Forest Restoration

India's Green Mission: A Reality Check on Forest Restoration
Representative image · Photo: BemanHerish / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
Share: WhatsApp
The Comptroller and Auditor General's (CAG) recent performance audit of the Green India Mission (GIM) has brought to light a significant discrepancy between its ambitious objectives and actual achievements . Conceived as a pivotal initiative to rejuvenate India's crucial forest ecosystems over a decade, the mission has largely fallen short of its intended goals. The initial aim was to improve forest quality across 1.4 million hectares, yet GIM only managed to impact a mere 0.11 million hectares, a stark deviation from its target. Furthermore, its efforts to expand overall forest cover barely achieved four percent of the projected increase.A key issue highlighted is the GIM's failure to converge with other relevant schemes. For instance, the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA), designed to fund reforestation efforts from industrial diversions of forest land, and the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (now VB-GRAM G), which allocates funds for rural plantation work, remained largely unconnected to GIM's operations. This lack of synergy effectively undermined the mission's potential.Despite GIM's stalled progress, the government has embarked on a new, highly publicized tree plantation initiative, ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam (A Tree in the Name of Mother)’, launched in 2024. While official reports claim the planting of 140 crore saplings, recent forest data reveal a critical distinction: much of this new "green cover" is merely tree cover outside recorded forests, totaling 1,289 sq km, with only 156 sq km qualifying as genuine forest. Worryingly, even within existing recorded forests, dense canopies are observed to be thinning into scrubland . This trend suggests that India is prioritizing planting individual trees over cultivating robust, integrated forest ecosystems.The plight of the Aravallis, a critically degraded mountain range, offers a poignant illustration. Despite plans for a "Green Wall" of new saplings, experts contend that such measures cannot realistically redress the extensive environmental damage from prolonged mining, halt ongoing encroachment , or miraculously bring back the ancient ecosystems. Genuine ecological restoration goes far beyond mere landscaping. While the CAG's assessment, rooted in financial and quantitative metrics , cannot fully encompass the complex ecological value of a living forest or the practical hurdles in mission implementation , its ultimate conclusion remains undeniable: a vital mission to rejuvenate India's forests has been allowed to languish , while the focus has shifted to simply counting individual trees. The imperative now is to bridge the conceptual gulf between superficial greening and comprehensive ecosystem recovery.

Get daily updates on PrepZen App

Free · 10,000+ downloads · 4.8★

Download

Vocabulary from this Editorial

Achievements noun

A thing done successfully, typically by effort, courage, or skill.

Synonyms: accomplishments, feats, triumphs

"The team celebrated its outstanding achievements in the annual competition."

Allocates verb

Distribute (resources or duties) for a particular purpose.

Synonyms: assigns, allots, distributes

"The government allocates funds to various departments based on their needs."

Ambitious adjective

Having or showing a strong desire and determination to succeed.

Synonyms: aspiring, determined, driven

"She has ambitious plans for her career, aiming to reach the top position."

Audit noun

An official inspection of an individual's or organization's accounts, typically by an independent body.

Synonyms: inspection, examination, scrutiny

"The financial audit revealed some irregularities in the company's spending."

Canopies noun

The uppermost layer of branches in a forest, forming a more or less continuous layer of foliage.

Synonyms: treetops, foliage, cover

"The dense canopies of the rainforest blocked most of the sunlight from reaching the ground."

Conceived verb

Form or devise (a plan or idea) in the mind.

Synonyms: devised, formulated, envisioned

"The innovative marketing campaign was conceived by the creative team."

Contend verb

Assert something as a position in an argument.

Synonyms: argue, assert, maintain

"Critics contend that the new policy will not solve the underlying issues."

Converge verb

Tend to meet at a point or come together and unite.

Synonyms: meet, join, merge

"Different cultural influences converged to create a unique local identity."

Cultivating verb

Trying to acquire or develop (a quality, sentiment, or skill).

Synonyms: fostering, nurturing, developing

"The organization is actively cultivating new talent among young artists."

Degraded adjective

Reduced in quality; deteriorated.

Synonyms: deteriorated, damaged, impaired

"Years of pollution left the once pristine river significantly degraded."

Designed verb

Plan or intend for a specific purpose.

Synonyms: intended, created, planned

"The software was specifically designed for managing large databases."

Deviation noun

The action of departing from an established course, accepted standard, or normal way.

Synonyms: departure, aberration, variation

"Any deviation from the safety protocols could lead to serious accidents."

Discrepancy noun

A lack of compatibility or similarity between two or more facts.

Synonyms: inconsistency, difference, variance

"There was a noticeable discrepancy between his statement and the evidence."

Ecological adjective

Relating to or concerned with the relation of living organisms to one another and to their physical surroundings.

Synonyms: environmental, natural, biological

"Protecting biodiversity is a critical ecological challenge for the planet."

Encompass verb

Surround and have or hold within.

Synonyms: include, comprise, contain

"The new curriculum will encompass various subjects, from science to arts."

Encroachment noun

Intrusion on a person's territory, rights, personal life, etc.

Synonyms: intrusion, trespass, infringement

"Urban development often leads to the encroachment on natural habitats."

Ecosystems noun

A biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment.

Synonyms: biomes, habitats, environments

"Coral reefs are vital marine ecosystems that support diverse aquatic life."

Gulf noun

A large difference or division between two things, groups, or people.

Synonyms: divide, chasm, gap

"The economic policies created a wide gulf between the rich and the poor."

Hurdles noun

Difficulties or obstacles.

Synonyms: obstacles, challenges, impediments

"Overcoming the initial financial hurdles was crucial for the startup's success."

Imperative adjective

Of vital importance; crucial.

Synonyms: crucial, essential, vital

"It is imperative that all safety regulations are strictly followed."

Implementation noun

The process of putting a decision or plan into effect.

Synonyms: execution, application, enactment

"The successful implementation of the new software improved overall efficiency."

Initiative noun

An act or strategy intended to resolve a difficulty or improve a situation; a fresh approach to something.

Synonyms: plan, project, program

"The new initiative aims to reduce plastic waste in urban areas."

Integrated adjective

With various parts linked or coordinated to form a whole.

Synonyms: unified, combined, cohesive

"The company adopted an integrated approach to customer service."

Languish verb

To suffer from being forced to remain in an unpleasant place or situation.

Synonyms: suffer, deteriorate, decline

"Many old traditions are beginning to languish as society modernizes."

Metrics noun

A system or standard of measurement.

Synonyms: measures, standards, benchmarks

"Project success is often evaluated using specific performance metrics."

Performance noun

The action or process of performing a task or function.

Synonyms: execution, operation, functioning

"The company's performance improved significantly after the restructuring."

Pivotal adjective

Of crucial importance in relation to the development or success of something else.

Synonyms: crucial, central, key

"The coach played a pivotal role in the team's victory."

Plight noun

A dangerous, difficult, or otherwise unfortunate situation.

Synonyms: predicament, difficulty, quandary

"The documentary highlighted the plight of refugees seeking asylum."

Poignant adjective

Evoking a keen sense of sadness or regret.

Synonyms: touching, moving, sad

"The poignant melody brought tears to everyone's eyes."

Prioritizing verb

Determining the order for dealing with (a series of tasks or projects) according to their relative importance.

Synonyms: ranking, ordering, focusing on

"Effective time management involves prioritizing urgent tasks first."

Redress verb

Remedy or set right (an undesirable or unfair situation).

Synonyms: correct, rectify, amend

"The company offered a refund to redress the customer's complaint."

Reforestation noun

The process of replanting an area with trees.

Synonyms: afforestation, replanting, restoration

"Government programs are promoting reforestation in areas affected by deforestation."

Rejuvenate verb

Make (someone or something) look or feel younger, fresher, or more lively.

Synonyms: revitalize, restore, refresh

"A weekend getaway was exactly what she needed to rejuvenate her spirits."

Relevant adjective

Closely connected or appropriate to what is being done or considered.

Synonyms: pertinent, applicable, germane

"The lawyer presented all the relevant evidence to the court."

Scrubland noun

Land covered with scrub vegetation.

Synonyms: bushland, wasteland, thicket

"The arid region was mostly characterized by scrubland and sparse vegetation."

Significant adjective

Sufficiently great or important to be worthy of attention; noteworthy.

Synonyms: notable, important, consequential

"The discovery of the ancient artifact marked a significant moment in archaeology."

Stalled verb

Stop or cause to stop making progress.

Synonyms: halted, delayed, obstructed

"Negotiations between the two parties stalled over disagreements on key issues."

Stark adjective

Severe or bare in appearance or outline; sharply delineated.

Synonyms: sharp, clear, blunt

"The report presented a stark contrast between the wealthy and the poor."

Superficial adjective

Existing or occurring at or on the surface; not deep or thorough.

Synonyms: shallow, surface, cursory

"He only had a superficial understanding of the complex scientific theory."

Synergy noun

The interaction or cooperation of two or more organizations, substances, or other agents to produce a combined effect greater than the sum of their separate effects.

Synonyms: cooperation, collaboration, coaction

"The synergy between the marketing and sales teams led to increased revenue."

Thinning verb

Making or becoming less dense, less concentrated, or less abundant.

Synonyms: reducing, decreasing, diluting

"The forest canopy was visibly thinning due to deforestation in the area."

Undermined verb

Lessen the effectiveness, power, or ability of (someone or something), especially gradually or insidiously.

Synonyms: weakened, eroded, sabotaged

"His constant criticism gradually undermined her confidence."

Phrasal Verbs

bring to light

To reveal or discover something previously unknown or hidden.

"The investigation helped to bring to light the truth behind the scandal."

fall short

To fail to reach an expected or required standard or level.

"The project fell short of its ambitious targets due to unexpected delays."

converge with

To come together with something else, often to a common point or agreement.

"The company's goals failed to converge with the expectations of its employees."

embark on

To begin a course of action, especially one that is important or demanding.

"After months of planning, the explorers were ready to embark on their journey."

bring back

To reintroduce or restore something that existed before.

"The town council hopes to bring back the old traditions during the festival."

go beyond

To exceed or surpass a certain limit, expectation, or standard.

"Her dedication to the project went beyond what was expected."

shift to

To change focus, emphasis, or direction to something new.

"The company decided to shift its marketing strategy to digital platforms."

PrepZen

Keep Learning with PrepZen

Get daily current affairs, live mock tests, mistake bank, vocab builder & more — all free on your phone.

Download Now — Free
PrepZen

Get PrepZen Free

Daily CA, Mock Tests & More

GET