Which of the following best describes/ describe the aim of ‘Green India Mission’ of the Government of India? 1. Incorporating environmental benefits and costs into the Union and State Budgets thereby implementing the ‘green accounting’ 2. Launching the second green revolution to enhance agricultural output so as to ensure food security to one and all in the future 3. Restoring and enhancing forest cover and responding to climate change by a combination of adaptation and mitigation measures Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Contents13
- A1 only
- B2 and 3 only
- C3 only
- D1, 2 and 3
Show answer
Answer: (C) 3 only
Answer: (c) 3 only
Statement 1 (✗ WRONG): Green accounting is NOT Green India Mission's aim.
That is a separate concept in environmental economics.
Statement 2 (✗ WRONG): 'Second green revolution' for agriculture is NOT the aim.
Green India Mission is about forests and climate, not agriculture.
Statement 3 (✓ CORRECT): Green India Mission aims to restore and enhance forest cover AND respond to climate change through adaptation and mitigation.
Key facts:
- One of 8 missions under NAPCC
- Goal to increase forest/tree cover on 5 million hectares
- Focuses on biodiversity, water, mangroves, wetlands + carbon sequestration
- Implemented on both public and private lands.
The 8 NAPCC Missions:
- Solar
- Energy Efficiency
- Sustainable Habitat
- Water
- Himalayan Ecosystem
- Green India
- Sustainable Agriculture
- Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change.
Green India Mission is one of eight National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) missions launched to address India's climate commitments and forest restoration goals.
The mission specifically targets increasing forest and tree cover on 5 million hectares while enhancing carbon sequestration, making it distinct from agricultural or accounting initiatives.
UPSC tests whether students can distinguish between different government missions - Green India Mission focuses on forests and climate, not agriculture or green accounting.
Green India Mission
Environment Green India Mission
Green India Mission: Forest Restoration & Climate Response
One of 8 missions under National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC)
Aims to restore forest cover on 5 million hectares
Combines adaptation and mitigation measures for climate change
Focuses on biodiversity, water security, and carbon sequestration
Green India Mission is specifically designed to restore degraded forest ecosystems while building climate resilience. Unlike agricultural schemes or budget reforms, it targets forest landscapes for environmental restoration.
Core Objectives
Increase forest/tree cover by 5 million hectares and improve quality on another 5 million hectares
Enhance ecosystem services - carbon sequestration, hydrological services, biodiversity conservation
Improve livelihood security of forest-dependent communities through forest-based activities
Build resilience to climate change in forest and non-forest areas
Restore degraded ecosystems including mangroves, wetlands, grasslands, and desert areas
Implementation Framework
Aspect | Details | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
Land Coverage | 10 million hectares total | Both restoration (5M) + quality improvement (5M) |
Implementation Area | Public and private lands | Includes community lands, wastelands |
Funding Model | Central sector scheme | 100% central funding initially |
Target Ecosystems | Forests, wetlands, mangroves, grasslands | Multi-ecosystem approach |
Community Role | Joint Forest Management | Local communities as key stakeholders |
Question Context
The 2016 UPSC question tested whether students could distinguish Green India Mission from green accounting (budget reforms) and the second green revolution (agricultural productivity). Only forest restoration and climate response are correct.
Trap 1: Green India Mission ≠ Green Accounting - that's about incorporating environmental costs in budgets
Trap 2: Green India Mission ≠ Second Green Revolution - that's about agricultural productivity and food security
Confusion: 'Green' doesn't always mean the same thing - context matters in UPSC questions
Memory aid: Green India = Green forests, not green agriculture or green budgets
NAPCC Eight Missions
Environment
National Action Plan on Climate Change: 8 Missions Framework
NAPCC launched in 2008 with 8 strategic missions for climate action
Covers mitigation and adaptation across key sectors
Each mission has specific targets and implementation strategies
NAPCC represents India's comprehensive climate strategy, addressing both emission reduction (mitigation) and climate resilience (adaptation) through sector-specific missions.
The 8 NAPCC Missions
Mission | Primary Focus | Key Target/Goal |
|---|---|---|
National Solar Mission | Renewable energy | 100 GW solar capacity by 2022 |
Enhanced Energy Efficiency | Energy conservation | Reduce energy intensity |
Sustainable Habitat | Urban planning | Energy efficient buildings |
National Water Mission | Water security | 20% increase in water use efficiency |
Sustaining Himalayan Ecosystem | Mountain ecosystems | Glacial monitoring, biodiversity |
Green India Mission | Forest restoration | 10 million hectares coverage |
Sustainable Agriculture | Climate-resilient farming | Drought/flood resistant varieties |
Strategic Knowledge | Climate research | R&D and capacity building |
NAPCC Structure
# NAPCC (2008)
## Energy Missions
- Solar Mission
- Energy Efficiency
- Sustainable Habitat
## Natural Resources
- Water Mission
- Green India
- Himalayan Ecosystem
## Sectoral Missions
- Sustainable Agriculture
- Strategic KnowledgeMission count: Always 8 missions, not more or less - UPSC tests exact numbers
Launch year: NAPCC launched in 2008, not 2009 or 2010
Don't confuse: National Solar Mission (NAPCC) vs PM-KUSUM (separate solar scheme)
Scope trap: Each mission has specific focus - don't mix their objectives
Climate Adaptation vs Mitigation
Environment adaptation mitigation
Climate Change Response: Adaptation vs Mitigation Strategies
Mitigation = reducing greenhouse gas emissions to limit climate change
Adaptation = adjusting to climate change impacts that are unavoidable
Most climate policies combine both approaches for effectiveness
Mitigation vs Adaptation
Aspect | Mitigation | Adaptation |
|---|---|---|
Definition | Reducing GHG emissions | Adjusting to climate impacts |
Approach | Prevent climate change | Respond to climate change |
Time Frame | Long-term global benefits | Immediate local benefits |
Examples | Solar energy, carbon sequestration | Flood defenses, drought-resistant crops |
Cost-Benefit | High upfront, global gains | Lower cost, local gains |
Measurement | Emissions reduced (CO₂ equivalent) | Vulnerability reduced, resilience built |
Green India Mission Examples
Mitigation measures: Forest restoration for carbon sequestration, reducing atmospheric CO₂
Adaptation measures: Restoring mangroves for coastal protection, improving watershed management for flood control
Ecosystem services: Enhanced water retention, biodiversity conservation, soil protection
Community resilience: Forest-based livelihoods reduce vulnerability to climate shocks
Key distinction: Mitigation = reducing causes, Adaptation = managing effects
False choice trap: UPSC may present them as either/or - most programs do both
Example confusion: Solar panels = mitigation, sea walls = adaptation, forests = both
Green Accounting
Indian Economy green accounting
Green Accounting: Environmental Costs in Government Budgets
Green Accounting = incorporating environmental costs and benefits into budgets
Different from Green India Mission - this is about budget methodology
Also called Environmental Accounting or Natural Capital Accounting
Green accounting adjusts traditional GDP and budget calculations to include environmental costs like pollution damage and resource depletion, providing a more accurate picture of economic development.
Key Concepts
Environmental costs: Pollution damage, resource depletion, ecosystem degradation
Environmental benefits: Clean air value, carbon sequestration, biodiversity conservation
Green GDP: Traditional GDP minus environmental costs plus environmental benefits
Natural capital: Forests, water bodies, minerals treated as economic assets in accounts
Policy tool: Helps governments make environment-friendly budget decisions
Traditional vs Green Accounting
Aspect | Traditional Accounting | Green Accounting |
|---|---|---|
Resource Use | Counted as positive income | Depletion counted as cost |
Pollution | Cleanup costs only | Health + environmental damage included |
Forests | Timber value when cut | Standing forest services valued |
Development Projects | Construction value added | Environmental impact subtracted |
GDP Calculation | Economic output only | Output minus environmental costs |
Major trap: Green Accounting ≠ Green India Mission - completely different concepts
Scope confusion: Green accounting is about budget methodology, not environmental programs
Don't mix: Environmental schemes vs environmental economics are different topics