India's ambitious forest expansion program, the Green India Mission, has barely taken root, according to a recent audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG). The audit, released last week, reveals that the initiative—which aimed to significantly increase the nation's forested areas—has delivered results far below expectations, with the shortfall reaching 97.57% of the original targets set in 2014.
The CAG report described the progress as 'negligible,' a stark assessment that contrasts sharply with the government's more optimistic public statements about forest cover. The mission was conceived as a cornerstone of India's environmental strategy, intended to enhance carbon sequestration, protect biodiversity, and support local livelihoods. However, the audit suggests implementation has been plagued by delays, funding shortfalls, and possibly a lack of coordination among various agencies.
Critics argue that the mission's failure is symptomatic of broader challenges in India's environmental governance, where ambitious policy declarations often struggle against bureaucratic inertia and competing development priorities. The findings come at a critical time, as the planet continues to warm and forests are increasingly recognized as vital for climate mitigation and adaptation.
The government, for its part, has maintained a different narrative. Official data on forest cover—which includes plantations and scrubland—often presents a more positive picture than the mission's specific targets. This discrepancy between the auditor's findings and the government's claims has fueled concerns about transparency and the effectiveness of monitoring mechanisms. As India faces more frequent and intense heatwaves, floods, and other climate impacts, the failure to expand forest cover could have serious consequences for water security, air quality, and rural economies dependent on forest resources.