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India Reclaims Millions of Hectares of Lost Land
17 Jun
Summary
- India restored 21.7 million hectares of degraded land between 2011 and 2020.
- Restoration efforts generated over 1.2 billion man-days of jobs.
- Nearly 30% of India's land area is affected by degradation and desertification.
Between 2011 and 2020, India achieved a remarkable restoration of 21.7 million hectares of degraded and deforested land. This extensive effort encompasses various methods, including planted forests, natural regeneration, silviculture, agroforestry, and mangrove restoration.
The restoration drive aligns with the global Bonn Challenge initiative, which aims to restore vast landscapes worldwide. India's commitment has evolved, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi announcing a revised target of 26 million hectares by 2030.
This progress is attributed to a combination of national schemes like the Compensatory Afforestation Fund and state-level greening initiatives. Telangana led individual state efforts, restoring 4.18 million hectares, significantly boosted by agroforestry.
These restoration activities have not only revitalized landscapes but also generated substantial employment, creating an estimated 1,224.51 million man-days of work. Despite these achievements, 29.77% of India's geographical area is still affected by land degradation and desertification.
