LAST year, a UK-based newspaper reported that unscientific planting of trees was causing environmental harm instead of the benefits intended. The UK Government had carbon sinks in mind when it ordered the planting of trees in large numbers, but planting in peatlands and wetlands destroyed soil quality and led to more emissions. India, with plans to create a 3 billion tonne carbon sink from forests by 2030, seems to have failed to learn from this episode. A study by the Legal Initiative for Forest and Environment (LIFE) says that tree plantation under the National Clean Air Programme is just a target-driven exercise with little planning and application. In Delhi, for instance, trees were planted in the Eastern and Central Delhi regions, whereas polluting clusters like Dwarka, Mundka, Narela and Bawana were left out. In other cities, the situation was similar—in Hyderabad, out of the 43 plantations done, only one was in a pollution hot spot.

 

In Chandigarh, parks and community centres were chosen as preferred locations. Moreover, the report states that the tree species planted were ornamental or incompatible with their local environment and barely absorbed emissions. Thus, the whole exercise and expenses incurred were futile. Such instances are plenty in India where plantation drives remain as mega PR strategy and on the ground, the actual benefits come to naught. The need is to become scientifically rigorous on tree plantation; with drastic climate change becoming an unyielding threat, there will be a need for more such drives. But if it is done with earnest sans awareness, the results, as the UK example shows, could be disastrous.

 

To that end, the States and the Centre need to reimagine regulation with local environmental contexts in mind. Leaders and policymakers have to get out of the dance and show that surround plantation drives and see to it that there is concrete productive outcome of such efforts through proper planning and sustained monitoring. We know how often lack of attention and maintenance gradually ruin the saplings that are planted year after year and we end up being face to face with worsening pollution and environmental warming. Had the drives been so successful, over the last 10 years or so, we would have a seminal increase in areas under forests and barring small pockets, it is largely not the case. Our first priority should be to stop deforestation and arrest the depletion of forests that will reduce the need for afforestation programmes in the first place.

 

Forestry is the most precious of natural resources because forests also support a wide variety of animal, bird and insect species which are essential to maintain the ecological balance. Afforestation may be the best option to replenish lost forests, but it is only a poor substitute for natural forests. The initiative must be towards saving forests, more than planting new saplings. New saplings take time to grow and before they can take the place of a full grown tree, much damage to environment is already done. We have to formulate plans to stop the cutting of trees. Laws are in place but implementation is weak, which is why trees are still cut in large numbers across forests and urban areas without impunity. Each big tree can sustain the life of five individuals by the oxygen it releases. Globally, 15 billion trees are cut annually and if we continue at this rate, within 200 years, our earth will be bereft of any tree or spec of green, even as we plant new trees.

 

Human greed and his dance of destruction started with the beginning of the industrial age in the 18th century, and till today, it is continuing. The loss we have inflicted on nature is irreparable. For India, forest resources are all the more precious because we are a tropical country where rainfall and weather patterns are largely regulated by the amount of greenery we have. Forests sustain hundreds of tribes and ethnic communities who live on their byproducts like fruits, roots, firewood, thatching material etc. From ancient times, India has had a rich treasure of forests which gave her its religion and philosophy. All our rituals, customs, traditions, totems, beliefs, history, works of art and religion are related to trees and forests in one way or the other. We cannot raise such huge forests in a day. Forests give rains and moderate temperatures, keeping the Green House effects in control that is absolutely essential for the sustenance of our population in the hot tropical atmosphere, where most of our farms and rivers are rain-fed. Development is needed but not at the cost of nature.

 

Our development model is lopsided, where too much importance is given to infrastructure as a yardstick of development, and greenery is the first casualty in any development project. Another point of significance that is often forgotten is that our city scapes badly need greenery. Most of our cities are haphazard concrete jungles with little space for natural forests, greenery and gardens, therefore turning into gas chambers. Planting saplings in designated remote jungle areas is one thing, but replenishing the populated areas with trees serves a different purpose, which is often relegated. Cities and roads therein need to be planned in a way that gives ample space and weightage to greenery. Another big thing amiss in our system is the lack of ample study on environment in schools and colleges as syllabuses hardly cover this aspect of life.

 

Much of social change can come if the youth and youngsters are informed about the use and utility of forests and how we can save them. In the end, it is not just about Governments and courts; it is also about our own ideologies and practices, our own thoughts, characters and guiding principles which are instrumental in saving or destroying nature. We are society – we make officials, decision makers, leaders, lawmakers and scientists. By the way, our thoughts, habits, character, approach, all are formed at an early age because of which the importance of right education cannot be overstated.