With climate change intensifying, the push for afforestation and carbon sequestration is more urgent than ever. The opinion piece published in The Hindu on April 30, 2025, emphasises how expanding tree cover is a key strategy for India to mitigate emissions and achieve environmental sustainability.
Indiaโs forest and tree cover currently stands at 25.7%, significantly short of the 33% target laid out by the National Forest Policy of 1988. This gap has serious environmental consequences, including deforestation, urbanisation pressure, and carbon emissions.
Tree plantations act as natural carbon sinks that absorb and store atmospheric COโ. This is crucial for India, a rapidly developing economy reliant on high-emission industries. Initiatives like the Green India Mission (GIM), National Agroforestry Policy (2014), and Trees Outside Forests in India Program have all aimed to increase green cover, especially in rural and degraded areas.
The role of the private sector is equally vital. CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) efforts from industries like cement, energy, and automobiles have integrated afforestation into their sustainability goals. Additionally, the upcoming EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism is set to levy tariffs on carbon-intensive imports by 2026, pushing Indian industries to pivot toward green alternatives.
Agroforestry, which blends trees with agriculture, is highlighted as a sustainable method that improves soil fertility, boosts incomes, and strengthens resilience to climate change. It also plays a vital role in rural employment and nutritional security.
By integrating afforestation into national and corporate strategies, India can not only meet its net-zero target by 2070 but also improve economic resilience, rural livelihoods, and biodiversity.
Points to Remember
-
India’s forest cover is 25.7%, below the 33% goal of the 1988 National Forest Policy.
-
Tree plantations help sequester COโ, improve groundwater recharge, and prevent soil erosion.
-
The Green India Mission has increased forest cover by 0.56% between 2017 and 2021.
-
EUโs Carbon Border Tax to be enforced by 2026 will affect carbon-intensive Indian exports.
-
Agroforestry promotes resilience, food security, and income in rural communities.
Also Read:ย Green Budgeting in India
Policy Recommendations
-
Integrate large-scale tree plantations into national climate mitigation strategies.
-
Incentivize carbon sequestration via tools like the EU Emissions Trading System.
-
Promote afforestation through public-private partnerships and CSR.
-
Expand agroforestry for climate-smart agriculture.
-
Encourage afforestation credits and carbon markets for businesses to invest in green projects.
Additional Resources
-
National Forest Policy 1988 โ MoEFCC (DoFollow)
-
Green India Mission โ PIB (DoFollow)
-
Understanding the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism โ EU Commission (DoFollow)
