The Green Credit Programme (GCP) is a market-based initiative launched by India’s Environment Ministry in October 2023 as part of Mission Life. Its primary objective is to promote sustainability by incentivizing voluntary environmental conservation efforts. Activities such as afforestation, water conservation, air pollution control, waste management, and mangrove conservation are at the forefront of this initiative. Participants, including individuals, organizations, and companies, can earn ‘green credits’ for their contributions to these activities. These credits can then be traded on a designated platform managed by the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE).
The afforestation measures under the GCP will be conducted by State forest departments. These departments are responsible for undertaking the actual planting of trees on designated tracts of degraded forest land and wastelands.
States are required to provide land parcels for afforestation and determine the specifics of restoration efforts. This includes selecting suitable vegetation types, whether trees, shrubs, herbs, or grasses, based on the ecological needs of the area. Additionally, states must evaluate and report on the survival and growth of the planted vegetation.
Yes, companies, along with other participants, can trade green credits earned through their conservation efforts. The GCP includes a trading platform where these credits can be bought and sold, enabling companies to offset their environmental impacts or comply with environmental regulations through the acquisition of credits.
Critics have raised concerns that the GCP commodifies environmental conservation, potentially allowing for easier diversion of forest land for industrial use under the guise of compensatory afforestation. There are also ecological concerns that planting trees without considering the appropriate types of vegetation could disrupt local ecosystems and promote the spread of invasive species.
In response to the criticism, the government has adjusted its guidelines to allow for more ecological flexibility in restoration efforts. There is an emphasis on using indigenous species and appropriate vegetation types for different degraded landscapes. The government has clarified that green credits cannot fully replace the obligations of compensatory afforestation but can complement these efforts as part of a broader sustainability strategy.
The long-term goals of the GCP are to enhance India’s forest cover, improve the health of its ecosystems, and contribute to the global fight against climate change. This initiative aims to achieve effective and sustainable conservation practices that engage a broad spectrum of society.
Kutos : AI Assistant!
