Introduction

National and International Commitments: Tree planting by state forest departments is propelled by India’s National Forest Policy, global restoration commitments, and central government initiatives like the Green India Mission.
Forest Cover Targets: The emphasis on forest cover in financial allocations by the Finance Commission further motivates states to increase forested areas.

Geographical and Ecological Context

Tropical Dry Forest Biome: Over three-fifths of India, spanning from the Shivaliks in the north to the Eastern Ghats in Tamil Nadu, falls under this biome.
Sparse Tree Cover and Drought-Prone Areas: This region, characterized by sparse tree cover and less than 1,000 mm of annual rainfall, is susceptible to drought.
Dependence of Rural Population: These landscapes are crucial for cattle grazing and support endangered fauna like wolves, striped hyenas, and blackbucks.

Significant Increase in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana: Between 2006 and 2015, these states collectively added significant forest cover, further augmented by Telangana through schemes like Haritha Haram.
Satellite Imagery and Dense Plantations: To be detected by satellite, dense plantations of fast-growing species like teak, eucalyptus, and bamboo are favored over natural sparse canopy.

Site Selection: Choose appropriate locations such as public parks, schools, and degraded lands for tree plantation. Focus on areas with adequate sunlight, proper drainage, and enough space for the tree to grow.
Native Tree Species: Opt for planting native tree species as they are well-adapted to the local climate and support the region’s biodiversity. Some popular choices in India include neem, banyan, peepal, mango, and teak.
Planting Season: The ideal time for tree plantation in most parts of India is during the monsoon season (June to September). This period provides sufficient rainfall, which helps with the establishment and growth of newly planted trees.

Questionable Forest Cover Targets: The 33% forest cover target lacks a scientific basis, as does the 26 million hectares target under the 2011 Bonn Challenge.
Negative Ecological Consequences: Excessive tree planting can lead to the loss of biodiverse grasslands and scrub ecosystems, impacting pastoral communities and water availability in river basins.

Recognition of Varied Ecosystems: The 15th Finance Commission’s acknowledgement of diverse forest canopy densities is a positive step, but it overlooks the importance of grasslands and open scrub ecosystems.
Alternative Restoration Approaches: Restoring degraded lands to their original grassland or scrub states with native trees is more beneficial than creating monoculture plantations.
Revising National Forest Policy Targets: It’s crucial to update the target forest cover to promote the conservation of grasslands and open ecosystems in their natural state.
Beyond Satellite Imagery for Monitoring: Restoration programs should not solely rely on satellite imagery, as tree cover alone is not a comprehensive indicator of ecosystem health.

Need for Holistic Approaches: A top-down policy approach focused on tree planting can lead to long-term ecological imbalances and wasteful expenditures.
Balancing Ecological and Economic Goals: Revising tree plantation strategies and forest policies is essential to achieve ecological balance and protect diverse ecosystems, while also meeting economic objectives.
Incentivizing Conservation of Diverse Landscapes: Policies should incentivize the preservation of varied landscapes, including grasslands and scrublands, recognizing their ecological and economic value.