UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 21st March 2025

Home UPSC Current Affairs International Day of Forests 2025

International Day of Forests 2025

Why in News:

On International Day of Forests 2025, India reaffirms its commitment to forest conservation, sustainable agriculture, and climate resilience through initiatives like the Green India Mission, National Agroforestry Policy, and Van Dhan Yojana.

Introduction

Forests are essential for ecological balance, providing oxygen, food, medicine, and livelihoods to millions.
They play a crucial role in global food security, supporting indigenous and rural communities with natural resources like fruits, seeds, and roots.
Recognizing their importance, the United Nations (UN) declared March 21 as the International Day of Forests (IDF) in 2012, with a new theme each year.
The 2025 theme, “Forests and Food,” highlights the deep connection between forests and sustainable agriculture, nutrition, and rural economies.
In India, forests are intertwined with cultural, economic, and biodiversity aspects, making their protection an environmental and national priority.
To promote forest conservation and sustainable use, the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has implemented several initiatives linking forests to food security, livelihoods, and climate resilience.

National Agroforestry Policy (2014)

Agroforestry integrates trees and crops to enhance soil fertility, increase farm productivity, and generate additional income for farmers. The National Agroforestry Policy (NAP), launched in 2014, aims to promote tree plantation on farmlands to support climate resilience and economic sustainability.

Objectives:

Encourage farmers to adopt agroforestry for climate adaptation.
Promote tree-based farming to improve biodiversity and carbon sequestration.

Implementation Strategy:

Establishment of Quality Planting Material (QPM) nurseries for farmers.
Technical support provided by the ICAR-Central Agroforestry Research Institute (CAFRI).
Collaboration with ICFRE, CSIR, ICRAF, and state agricultural universities.

Economic Support:

Price guarantees and buy-back options for farm-grown trees.
Private sector involvement in marketing and value addition of agroforestry products.
Integration with millet promotion to enhance food security.

Green India Mission (GIM) – A Climate Action Strategy

The Green India Mission (GIM) is a critical component of India’s National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC). Launched in 2015-16, GIM aims to expand forest cover, restore ecosystems, and mitigate climate change impacts.

Mission Goals:

Expand forest/tree cover by 5 million hectares (mha).
Improve the quality of another 5 mha of forests.
Enhance biodiversity and carbon storage.
Improve livelihoods of 3 million forest-dependent households.

Sub-Missions:

Enhancing Forest Cover – Improving forest quality and ecosystem services.
Ecosystem Restoration – Reforesting degraded lands.
Urban Greening – Increasing tree cover in cities.
Agroforestry & Social Forestry – Promoting carbon sequestration.
Wetland Restoration – Revitalizing critical wetlands.

Funding and Implementation:

₹909.82 crores allocated to 17 states and 1 Union Territory for forest restoration.
Ecosystem Services Improvement Project (ESIP), a World Bank-funded initiative, is being implemented in Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh.

Forest Fire Prevention & Management Scheme

Forest fires pose a significant threat to biodiversity, climate, and livelihoods. The Forest Fire Prevention & Management Scheme (FFPM) is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme aimed at preventing and controlling forest fires.

Objectives:

Reduce forest fire incidents through community participation.
Develop early warning systems using Remote Sensing, GPS, and GIS technology.
Strengthen forest fire detection with satellite-based monitoring.

Implementation Strategy:

Forest Survey of India (FSI) provides real-time fire alerts via SMS and email.
A Crisis Management Group under MoEF&CC coordinates fire response.
Development of a National Action Plan on Forest Fire in consultation with State Forest Departments and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).

Van Dhan Yojana – Empowering Tribal Communities

Launched in 2018 by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and TRIFED, the Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Yojana (PMVDY) promotes sustainable livelihoods for tribal communities by enhancing the value of Minor Forest Produce (MFPs).

Key Features:

Establishment of Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs) for processing and marketing forest products.
Each VDVK consists of 300 tribal members from 15 Self-Help Groups (SHGs).
Financial Support:
- ₹15 lakh allocated per Kendra.
- Tribal members contribute ₹1,000 each to ensure ownership and sustainability.

Two-Stage Implementation:

Stage I: Establish 6,000 Kendras across tribal districts.
Stage II: Scale up successful Kendras with better storage and processing infrastructure.

Impact:

Enhances tribal income and reduces migration.
Promotes sustainable forest management and biodiversity conservation.

Conclusion

India’s commitment to forest conservation and sustainable development is reflected in initiatives like the National Agroforestry Policy, Green India Mission, Forest Fire Prevention Scheme, and Van Dhan Yojana.
These programs restore ecosystems, support livelihoods, and combat climate change, aligning with global sustainability goals.