Forest Survey of India Defines 21.76% Forest Cover Using ISFR 2023 Data, Calls for Nuanced Monitoring

CAG Audit Reveals Green India Mission Achieved Only 0.11 Million Hectares Against 1.4 Million Target; Forest Cover Expansion at 4%

A CAG performance audit of the Green India Mission (GIM) reveals it achieved less than 10% of its forest quality improvement target over a decade, with forest cover expansion at just 4%. India's shift to a tree plantation drive ('Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam') is masking the failure to restore actual forests, risking the country's Paris Agreement carbon sink commitment of 2.5-3 billion tonnes by 2030.

Parliamentary Panel Flags Forest Fire Gaps, Recommends Geostationary Satellite and NDRF Centres for Himalayas

A parliamentary committee has flagged serious gaps in forest fire monitoring and management, especially in the Himalayan region which accounts for 57% of India's forest fire incidents from just 17% of its landmass. It has recommended a geostationary satellite, dedicated NDRF regional response centres, and a National Pine-Needle Utilisation Policy. For exams, the article is rich in static concepts, data, and disaster-management facts.

CAG Audit Flags 91.87% Shortfall in Forest Cover Improvement Under Green India Mission

The CAG audit reveals the Green India Mission (GIM) – a key component of India's NDC commitments – has failed to meet its forest cover quality improvement target by 91.87% and forest cover increase target by 97.57%. This exposes severe implementation gaps, weak convergence with other schemes, and poor monitoring, directly threatening India's climate pledge under the Paris Agreement.

Parliamentary Panel Urges Geostationary Satellite for 24x7 Himalayan Forest Fire Monitoring

A parliamentary standing committee has flagged critical gaps in forest fire monitoring in the Himalayas, where 17% of India's landmass accounts for 57% of fire incidents. It recommends launching an Indian geostationary satellite for round-the-clock monitoring, setting up NDRF regional response centres, and formulating a national pine-needle policy. This is crucial for prelims (data, institutions) and mains (environmental governance, disaster management).

Kerala Seeks Final Notification on Western Ghats ESA, Proposes Limiting to 8,590.69 sq km Forest Area

Kerala has formally submitted recommendations to the Centre to limit the Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA) in the Western Ghats to only forest areas covering 8,590.69 sq km, excluding all populated areas, farmlands, and plantations. The state, which has been demanding a final notification after multiple draft versions since 2014, plans to pass a resolution in the Assembly to press its case. This is a critical exam topic for understanding environmental governance, federal-state dynamics, and the developmental vs. conservation debate.

CEEW Report: Organic Waste Management Can Unlock $51 Billion Market by 2047 for India

India generates massive organic waste but lacks a unified management system. A new CEEW report highlights a $51 billion market opportunity by 2047 through resource recovery, but fragmented accountability across 16 ministries hinders progress. This is critical for understanding waste-to-wealth, circular economy, and climate action linkages.

India Launches First-Ever Guide to Grasslands at UNCCD COP17, Restores 21.76 Mha Under Bonn Challenge

India launched its first-ever Guide to Grasslands and Open Natural Ecosystems (ONEs) at UNCCD COP17 in Mongolia, marking a key step in conservation and restoration. Simultaneously, the second Bonn Challenge progress report shows India restored 21.76 million hectares of degraded land between 2011-2020, with a target of 26 million hectares by 2030.

India's MoSPI Launches Experimental Monetary Asset Accounts of Marine Fish Resources for Blue Economy

India's MoSPI has initiated a groundbreaking experiment to assign monetary value to marine fish stocks under the UN SEEA framework. This natural-capital accounting aims to integrate blue economy into national accounts, providing data for sustainable fisheries management and climate-risk assessment. For UPSC aspirants, this links to Environment, Economy, and Government policies on blue economy.