A Correspondent
TANGLA: India’s dedication to restoring degraded forest ecosystems and enhancing climate resilience was prominently featured during a side event organized by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) and the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEF&CC), Government of India, at the 20th session of the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF), held at the UN Headquarters in New York from May 5 to May 9.
The side event, conducted on May 6 under the theme “Restoring Degraded Forest Landscapes: India’s Approach to Sustainable Forest Management and Climate Resilience”, spotlighted India’s integrated strategies for sustainable forest management and ecological restoration. The session saw participation from senior forest officials from India, international delegates, and global online attendees.
Dr. J.V. Sharma, Senior Director of the Land Resources Division at TERI, opened the session by highlighting India’s strong policy framework for sustainable forest management. He emphasized the nation’s progress in ecological conservation, noting that over 25% of its land is under forest and tree cover. He also underlined India’s grassroots-driven approach, where local communities play a pivotal role through Joint Forest Management Committees and similar institutions. “India’s commitment aligns with global frameworks including the Paris Agreement and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework,” he noted.
Delivering the keynote address, Sushil Kumar Awasthi, Director General of Forests and Special Secretary, MoEF&CC, provided an overview of India’s forest development initiatives. He cited the India State of Forest Report (ISFR) as a vital tool in monitoring forest trends and guiding policy. “India has achieved 25.17% forest and tree cover and ranks third globally in net forest area gain between 2010 and 2020,” Awasthi stated.
Ramesh Kumar Pandey, Additional Director General of Forests, elaborated on India’s robust policy and regulatory frameworks, while Anoop Singh, Director General of the Forest Survey of India, spoke on India’s willingness to collaborate internationally in forest inventory and technology sharing.
Focusing on restoration efforts, R. Raghu Prasad, Inspector General of Forests, outlined India’s multi-pronged approach to restoring degraded forest lands. He emphasized the integration of afforestation, watershed development, and community participation as key success drivers.
Dr. Dipankar Saharia, Senior Director for Social Transformation and Strategic Alliances at TERI, highlighted the socioeconomic dimensions of India’s forestry sector. He pointed out that forests support the livelihoods of nearly 300 million people, particularly in the 26% of Indian villages located in or near forested areas. “Programmes like the Green India Mission, Van Dhan Vikas Yojana, and MISHTI are transforming forest-based livelihoods by enabling value addition, promoting ecotourism, and empowering communities,” he said.
Dr. Saharia also acknowledged the ongoing challenges posed by forest degradation, climate variability, and limited market access. “To overcome these hurdles, India is investing in digital tools, strengthening value chains, and amplifying community empowerment,” he added, reaffirming TERI’s commitment to collaborative efforts with MoEF&CC, state forest departments, and international partners.
The side event reinforced India’s emerging leadership in sustainable forestry and climate action, offering a model for other nations aiming to balance ecological sustainability with community development. The initiative earned praise for aligning national efforts with international environmental commitments under the UNFF framework.
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