TAG: GS 3: ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT
THE CONTEXT: Tree plantations have become a key focus for Indian state forest departments, driven by national policies, international commitments, and government schemes like the Green India Mission. The emphasis on forest cover influences fund allocation, and several states have increased their forest cover through initiatives like Haritha Haram and compensatory afforestation.
EXPLANATION:
Challenges in Dry Forest Biome:
- The majority of India, specifically the tropical dry forest biome, has sparse tree cover (10-40%).
- This region faces challenges due to low rainfall, drought-proneness, and serves as vital grazing land for rural communities and habitats for endangered fauna.
Reassessment of Forest Cover Targets:
- The 33% forest cover target set in the National Forest Policy 1952 lacks scientific basis.
- Similarly, India’s commitment to achieve 26 million hectares by 2030 (under the 2011 Bonn Challenge) lacks a clear foundation.
- Growing evidence suggests negative impacts of excessive tree planting, including biodiversity loss, reduced grazing land, and potential water scarcity.
- Current satellite image requirements necessitate dense tree planting for accurate forest detection.
- Fast-growing species like teak, eucalyptus, and bamboo are preferred due to their rapid growth, enabling detection in satellite images.
- Scientific studies show negative consequences of extensive tree plantations, including loss of biodiversity-rich ecosystems, livelihood impacts on pastoral communities, and reduced water availability in river basins.
- It potentially affects the water security of rural populations in dry forest regions.
Policy Recommendations:
- Finance Commission’s Role:
- Acknowledgment by the 15th Finance Commission of the variance in forest canopy density across India is a step forward.
- However, incentivizing the preservation of grasslands and open scrub ecosystems, often labeled as ‘wasteland’, is essential.
- Diverse Approaches:
- Promoting diverse restoration approaches beyond tree planting is crucial.
- Restoring degraded land to its original state of grasslands or native scrub vegetation is more beneficial than monoculture plantations.
- Revising Forest Policy:
- Reassessment of forest cover targets under the National Forest Policy is necessary.
- Emphasizing the conservation of grasslands and open ecosystems in their natural state should be prioritized.
- Holistic Monitoring:
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- Relying solely on satellite imagery for restoration programs overlooks the holistic health of ecosystems.
- A policy shift away from top-down approaches could deter ill-advised tree planting schemes and prevent wasteful expenditure.
Conclusion:
- Revisiting India’s forest cover targets is imperative to foster a more nuanced approach to reforestation.
- The emphasis should be on preserving diverse ecosystems, including grasslands and open scrublands, promoting sustainable restoration methods, and adopting comprehensive monitoring strategies that go beyond satellite-based assessments.
- It outlines the necessity for a reevaluation of India’s forest cover targets, advocating for a more balanced and ecologically sensitive approach to reforestation strategies to ensure long-term environmental sustainability and biodiversity conservation.
SOURCE: https://www.downtoearth.org.in/blog/forests/why-india-needs-to-revise-its-forest-cover-targets-93771
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