Consider the following statements:
Statement I: Under the revised Green Credit Programme (GCP) rules, green credits for tree plantation are awarded only after five years and are based on verified canopy density and tree survival.
Statement II: The earlier methodology, which granted credits based on the number of saplings planted, often led to poor survival rates and ecological mismatches, undermining the environmental integrity of the programme.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
(a) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement II explains Statement I
(b) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct but Statement II does not explain Statement I
(c) Statement I is correct but Statement II is not correct
(d) Statement I is not correct but Statement II is correct

Question

Consider the following statements:
Statement I: Under the revised Green Credit Programme (GCP) rules, green credits for tree plantation are awarded only after five years and are based on verified canopy density and tree survival.
Statement II: The earlier methodology, which granted credits based on the number of saplings planted, often led to poor survival rates and ecological mismatches, undermining the environmental integrity of the programme.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
(a) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement II explains Statement I
(b) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct but Statement II does not explain Statement I
(c) Statement I is correct but Statement II is not correct
(d) Statement I is not correct but Statement II is correct

ONLiNE UPSC · Accepted Answer

Recently, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has revised the Green Credit Programme (GCP) rules for tree plantation.

Statement I is correct: Under the revised Green Credit Programme (GCP) rules, green credits will be awarded only after five years, contingent on achieving at least 40% canopy density and verified tree survival. This ensures that credits reward genuine ecological restoration rather than mere sapling planting.

Statement II is correct: Earlier, green credits were awarded based solely on the number of saplings planted, without long-term monitoring. This resulted in low survival rates, ecological mismatches from non-native or monoculture plantings, and superficial compliance, undermining the programme&rsquo;s environmental objectives.
The 2025 revised rules were introduced to correct the flaws of the earlier system, shifting the focus from the number of trees planted to survival and canopy density after five years. This change addresses issues of poor survival rates, ecological mismatches, and lack of long-term accountability. So, both Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement II explains Statement I.

Green Credit Programme (GCP)

Revised rules and methodology for tree plantation

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M Question 1	⏱ 0
Consider the following statements: Statement I: Under the revised Green Credit Programme (GCP) rules, green credits for tree plantation are awarded only after five years and are based on verified canopy density and tree survival. Statement II: The earlier methodology, which granted credits based on the number of saplings planted, often led to poor survival rates and ecological mismatches, undermining the environmental integrity of the programme. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements? (a) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement II explains Statement I (b) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct but Statement II does not explain Statement I (c) Statement I is correct but Statement II is not correct (d) Statement I is not correct but Statement II is correct