05 Oct 2021: Hindu Editorial Analysis

The Hindu Editorial Analysis
05 October 2021

1. Taproots to help restore India’s fading green cover

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  • Source: The Hindu Page 6/ Editorial - Taproots to help restore India's forests
  • GS 3: Environment

Context:

  • The State of the World’s Forests report 2020, says that since 1990, around 420 million hectares of forest have been lost through deforestation, conversion and land degradation. and support countless and diverse species.
  • Despite various international conventions and national policies in place to improve  green cover, there is a decline in global forest cover.   
  • This is the prime reason for forest restoration activities that recently increased.
  • 2021-2030 as UN decade on ecosystem restoration

 

India's initiatives

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  • India joined the Bonn Challenge with a pledge to restore 21 MHA of degraded and deforested land which was later revised to 26 MHA to be restored by 2030.
  • Bringing 9.8 million hectares since 2011 under restoration is an achievement
  • Creation of Joint forest management committees(JFMC) under the Forest policy. ore than 1,18,213 JFMCs involving around 20 million people manage over 25 MHA of forest area.

 

Key challenges

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  • Planting without considering the local ecology : It can result in more damage. 
  • Planting a forest in the wrong places: For ex: savannah grasslands could be disastrous for local biodiversity in India. Research has shown that naturally regenerated forests tend to have more secure carbon storage. 
  • Encroachment of forest land: encroachment of nearly 1.48 MHA of forest and grazing in nearly 75% of forest area is also linked to the livelihood of local communities. The participation of local communities with finances for incentives and rewards is essential to redress this complex riddle.
  • JFMC don’t function effectively: a review of their functionality and performance is essential to make them more dynamic and effective to scale up their involvement.
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  • The remaining areas witness a range of disturbances including grazing, encroachment, fire and climate change impacts that need are specific considerations.
  • Adequate financing is one of the major concerns for the success of any interventions including restoration. 
  • Corporate Social responsibility(CSR): The contribution of corporates in restoration efforts so far has been limited to 2%.
  •  Conflict of interests among different stakeholders:  due to the involvement of  multiple stakeholders in forest restoration 


Significance of the forest cover

    1. Ecosystem service

    2. Support diverse species

    3. Carbon sequestration

    4. Reduce global warming

    5. Prevent soil erosion

    6. Provide medicines

    7. Provide foods

    8. Create jobs

    9. Aesthetic values

    10. Prevent flooding

 

Consequences of less forest cover

    1. Global warming

    2. Soil erosion

    3. Less rain

    4. Climate change

    5. Losses of livelihood

    6. Climate change

    7. Biodiversity loss

    8. Aridity increase

    9. Flooding

    10. Aesthetic value

 

WAY FORWARD: Active engagement of stakeholders including non­governmental organisations, awareness and capacity building of stakeholders with enabling policy interventions and finance can help a lot to achieve the remaining 16 MHA restoration objectives for India. The need of the hour is an inclusive approach encompassing these concerns with the required wherewithal. 

 

Expected Question: Enumerate the key challenges in the sustainable forest management in India. (150 words)