International Day of Forests 2025

Context

This document, released by the Press Information Bureau, Government of India, on 20th March 2025, highlights India's efforts to link forests with food security, livelihoods, and sustainability. Prepared by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, it aligns with the International Day of Forests (March 21), themed "Forests and Food" in 2025. It outlines key government schemes, their objectives, implementation strategies, and impacts, emphasizing the ecological, economic, and cultural significance of forests.

Introduction

International Day of Forests (IDF): Declared by the UN in 2012, celebrated annually on March 21 to raise awareness about forests' vital role.
2025 Theme: "Forests and Food" - highlights forests' contribution to global food security (fruits, seeds, roots, wild meat) and support for indigenous/rural communities.
India’s Perspective: Forests are integral to culture, economy, biodiversity, and food security; their protection is a national priority.

Key Government Schemes

National Agroforestry Policy (2014)
- Purpose: Promote tree plantation on farmland to boost productivity, soil fertility, and farmers’ income.
- Objectives:
- - Expand tree-crop integration for climate resilience and economic benefits.
  - Ensure Quality Planting Material (QPM) availability (seeds, seedlings, hybrids).
  - Promote region-specific agroforestry models.
  - Build a research and knowledge database.
  - Strengthen market linkages for products (timber, biofuels, medicinal plants).
  - Encourage value addition and modern tech (geo-tagging, AI, satellite imagery).
- Implementation:
- - Nodal Agency: ICAR-Central Agroforestry Research Institute (CAFRI).
  - Support: Nurseries, tissue culture units, technical training, collaboration with ICFRE, CSIR, ICRAF, and state universities.
- Economic Support:
- - Price guarantees, buy-back options for farm-grown trees.
  - Private sector involvement in marketing/processing.
  - Integrates with millet promotion (millets thrive in tree-based systems).
- Funding:
- - Big Nurseries (1 ha): ₹16 lakh.
  - Hi-Tech Nurseries (2 ha): ₹50 lakh.
  - Small Nurseries (0.5 ha): ₹10 lakh.
  - Tissue Culture Units: Up to ₹2 crore.
  - Local Initiatives: Up to 2% of annual plan.
  - Skill Development: Up to 5% of scheme funds.
Green India Mission (GIM)
- Overview: Part of National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), launched in FY 2015-16 to enhance forest cover and combat climate change.
- Goals:
- - Increase forest/tree cover by 5 million hectares (mha) and improve quality of another 5 mha.
  - Enhance ecosystem services (carbon storage, water management, biodiversity).
  - Improve livelihoods for 3 million households via forest-based income.
- Sub-Missions:
- 1. Enhance forest quality and ecosystem services.
  2. Reforestation and ecosystem restoration.
  3. Urban greening.
  4. Agroforestry and social forestry for biomass and carbon sinks.
  5. Wetland restoration.
- Ecosystem Services Improvement Project (ESIP): World Bank-backed initiative in Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh.
- Funding: ₹909.82 crores allocated to 17 states and 1 UT by July 2024, covering 155,130 hectares (e.g., 464.20 ha in Maharashtra’s Palghar district).
Forest Fire Prevention & Management Scheme (FFPM)
- Purpose: Centrally Sponsored Scheme to prevent/control forest fires and restore affected areas.
- Objectives:
- - Reduce fire incidents and improve productivity of fire-affected land.
  - Involve local communities in forest protection.
  - Develop fire danger rating and forecasting systems.
  - Use modern tech (Remote Sensing, GPS, GIS).
  - Enhance knowledge on fire behavior/impact.
- Implementation:
- - Forest Survey of India (FSI) manages a satellite-based Forest Fire Monitoring and Alert System for near real-time detection.
  - Fire alerts via SMS/email to registered users.
  - National Action Plan on Forest Fire developed with World Bank and stakeholders (State Forest Departments, NDMA).
  - Crisis Management Group chaired by Secretary (EF&CC).
- Achievements: Decline in fire incidents (India State of Forest Report 2023).
Van Dhan Yojana (PMVDY)
- Launch: 2018 by Ministry of Tribal Affairs and TRIFED.
- Purpose: Enhance tribal livelihoods through value addition of Minor Forest Produce (MFPs).
- Structure:
- - Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs): 300 members from 15 Self-Help Groups (SHGs) per Kendra.
  - VDVKs act as hubs for processing, value addition, and marketing MFPs.
- Financial Support:
- - ₹15 lakh per Kendra (centrally funded).
  - Tribal contribution: ₹1,000 per member.
  - Support for branding, packaging, and global market access.
- Two-Stage Implementation:
- 1. Stage I: Establish 6,000 Kendras with basic facilities.
  2. Stage II: Scale up successful Kendras with advanced infrastructure (storage, processing units).
- Impact:
- - Sustainable livelihoods for tribals.
  - Promotes forest conservation.
  - Reduces tribal migration.
  - Strengthens tribal economy.

Conclusion

India’s initiatives (National Agroforestry Policy, Green India Mission, FFPM, Van Dhan Yojana) integrate forest conservation with food security, climate resilience, and livelihoods.
These schemes reflect a holistic approach, combining community participation, modern technology, and sustainable policies for a greener future.