NITI Aayog grow report
Context:
NITI Aayog recently unveiled the Greening and Restoration of Wasteland with Agroforestry (GROW) report and portal, marking a significant initiative in India’s land restoration efforts.
Key Highlights:
- GROW Report Objective: The primary objective of the GROW report is to support restoration projects aligned with India’s commitments to Land Degradation Neutrality, aiming to restore 26 million hectares of degraded land by 2030 and create an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent.
- Extent of Wastelands in India: The report reveals that India has approximately 55.76 million hectares of wastelands, accounting for 16.96% of the country’s total geographical area. These degraded lands have experienced diminished productivity and biodiversity due to natural and human-induced factors, underscoring the need for greening and restoration efforts through agroforestry.
- Agroforestry as a Solution: Highlighting the potential of agroforestry, the report suggests utilizing underutilized areas, especially wastelands, for agroforestry practices. Currently, agroforestry covers 8.65% of India’s total geographical area, with Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Telangana identified as top states for agroforestry suitability. The report outlines policy and institutional support required to scale up agroforestry interventions effectively.
- Policy Framework: The GROW report emphasizes India’s National Agroforestry Policy of 2014, aligning with global commitments such as the Paris Agreement, Bonn Challenge, and UN Sustainable Development Goals. This policy framework aims to enhance productivity, profitability, and sustainability through agroforestry practices.
GROW Portal:
- Hosted on the Bhuvan platform, the GROW portal provides comprehensive access to state and district-level data on agroforestry suitability.
- Through remote sensing and GIS technology, users can access detailed maps and assessments, including the Agroforestry Suitability Index (ASI), facilitating prioritization of agroforestry interventions nationwide.
- The GROW report and portal serve as crucial tools in India’s land restoration efforts, offering valuable insights and resources to support sustainable agroforestry practices and combat land degradation.
