Green Credits for Forest Restoration: A New Era

India has introduced a Green Credit program, enabling organizations to earn credits by successfully achieving 40% canopy cover in degraded forest lands within four to five years, following approved management plans. This initiative is already being implemented across 750 acres in Gurugram and 250 acres near Manesar.

A recent shift in forest conservation policy, effective from January 2, classifies afforestation and silvicultural activities as 'forestry activities.' This classification exempts such projects from compensatory afforestation requirements and net present value fees, significantly easing financial burdens for entities undertaking forest restoration and timber projects on leased land.

An eco-restoration framework for the Aravalli landscape has also been released, based on pilot projects in four Gurugram villages. This model proposes a replicable approach for rehabilitating degraded forest patches, integrating forest management, biodiversity conservation, water resource management, and community engagement. The framework aims to balance ecological restoration with social and economic priorities across the 670-km mountain range.