India's National Mission for a Green India (Green India Mission), 2015 to 2026
- Government and regulators Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (Lok Sabha reply, August 2026): Over 1.84 lakh hectares under eco-restoration in 17 states and one Union Territory since 2015-16. Telangana Today
- Government and regulators Comptroller and Auditor General of India (2026), as reported by Mongabay-India: Afforestation of approximately 0.15 million hectares against 2.8 million; a 97.57% shortfall on ecosystem restoration; nearly 70% of assessed locations with little to no improvement. Mongabay-India
- Press and investigations The Hindu editorial summary (via Vision IAS, 18 August 2026): The mission aimed to improve forest quality on 1.4 million hectares but covered 0.11 million hectares. Vision IAS, summarising The Hindu
A mission under India's National Action Plan on Climate Change to protect, restore and enhance forest cover. Parliamentary committees reported low fund use (55 per cent, 2023; 28 per cent, 2025-26 revised estimates), and the Comptroller and Auditor General's 2026 audit, as reported by Mongabay-India, found afforestation on about 0.15 million hectares against a 2.8 million hectare target.
As reported by Mongabay-India on 24 August 2026; the audit report (Report No. 4 of 2026) was submitted to Parliament on 12 August 2026 and was not itself read. The audit also reported a 97.57% shortfall on a 1.4 million hectare ecosystem restoration target.
Status As of August 2026: the CAG audit submitted on 12 August 2026 reports afforestation of about 0.15 million hectares against a 2.8 million hectare target; the Ministry reports over 1.84 lakh hectares under eco-restoration; no Ministry response to the audit is on record.
- State forest departments and local forest institutions — Received central releases: 944.48 crore rupees to 17 states and one Union Territory as of 2024-25 (Ministry figure via IMPRI) IMPRI Impact and Policy Research Institute
- Ecologically vulnerable landscapes: grasslands, ravines, scrub forests and abandoned mines — Largely left out of plantation activity; 2.11 million hectares of scrublands in eight states had no targets (CAG, as reported by Mongabay-India) Mongabay-India
What happened
The National Mission for a Green India is one of the missions under India's National Action Plan on Climate Change, implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). PRS Legislative Research describes it as aiming "to protect, restore, and enhance India's forest cover and tackle climate change by undertaking plantation activities in the forest and non-forest areas in selected degraded, vulnerable landscapes". Down To Earth reported in February 2019, from a parliamentary committee report, that the mission was proposed for 10 years with an outlay of Rs 60,000 crore, was meant to launch with the 12th Five-Year Plan in 2012 but was delayed by financial issues until 2015, and had targets of increasing green cover over 5 million hectares and improving the quality of existing cover on another 5 million hectares.
The committee report reviewed by Down To Earth found that Rs 47.8 crore was allocated for 2017-18, "grossly insufficient as the committed liability for 2015-16 and 2016-17 is Rs 89.53 crore", that afforestation until 2016-17 covered 51,387 hectares, and that in 2015-16 and 2016-17 the mission targeted 67,956 hectares and achieved 44,749, a 34% shortfall. It criticised planting eucalyptus and other unsuitable species. A parliamentary standing committee on the Demands for Grants (2023-24), reported by The Tribune on 16 March 2023, wrote that "the utilisation of funds has been grossly suboptimal at 27 per cent and 55 per cent, respectively", for the Climate Change Action Plan and the National Mission for Green India. PRS reported on 11 February 2026 that the mission "has consistently seen underutilisation of funds since 2020-21", that only 28% of the allocated budget had been utilised under the 2025-26 revised estimates, and that Rs 170 crore was allocated for 2026-27. The Rajya Sabha committee's 405th report (presented 13 March 2026), as summarised by The Policy Edge, flagged underutilisation and attributed delays to "procedural and administrative" bottlenecks.
The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) submitted a performance audit of the mission to Parliament on 12 August 2026, covering 15 states and one Union Territory over 2015-16 to 2024-25, as reported by Mongabay-India on 24 August 2026. According to that report, the initial central allocation was 130 billion rupees, proposed convergence funding was up to 40 billion rupees (MGNREGA), 6 billion (National Afforestation Policy) and 60 billion (compensatory afforestation), and actual direct central contributions over the 10-year audit period were 11.49 billion rupees. Afforestation was targeted on 2.8 million hectares by 2018 and covered approximately 0.15 million hectares, about 5% of the goal; ecosystem restoration was targeted on 1.4 million hectares, with a 97.57% shortfall at CAG site inspections; 2.11 million hectares of scrublands in eight states had no targets; and nearly 70% of assessed locations showed little to no improvement. The audit found "fundamental weaknesses in planning and design as well as deficiencies in execution and monitoring".
Mongabay-India also reported that 91 million rupees released to the Kolasib forest district authority in Mizoram was withdrawn in cash "with no documentary evidence of its use" for afforestation, that in Uttarakhand's Chakrata division 2,000 plantations were reported at a site where 30 to 40 saplings were found, none surviving, that in Odisha plantations were carried out in forests with 40-70% canopy density, and that only Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh conducted carbon sequestration assessments between 2015 and 2025. The Ministry's own figures differ: IMPRI, citing a 2024 PIB release, reported 944.48 crore rupees disbursed to 17 states and one Union Territory and 1,55,130 hectares under plantation and eco-restoration as of 2024-25, and on 10 August 2026 the Minister of State for Environment told the Lok Sabha that over 1.84 lakh hectares were under eco-restoration since 2015-16. No Ministry response to the audit appears in the sources reviewed.
- 2008National Action Plan on Climate Change adopted; the mission is one of its missions (PRS)
- 2015Mission begins implementation after delay from the 12th Five-Year Plan (Down To Earth)
- 2019Parliamentary committee report on the NAPCC reports funding 'grossly insufficient' and targets missed by 34% (Down To Earth, 19 February)
- 2023Parliamentary standing committee reports fund utilisation of 55 per cent (March)
- 2026PRS analysis (11 February); Rajya Sabha committee 405th report presented (13 March); CAG audit submitted to Parliament (12 August); Lok Sabha reply on 1.84 lakh hectares (10 August)
What was said
“fundamental weaknesses in planning and design as well as deficiencies in execution and monitoring”
“the utilisation of funds has been grossly suboptimal at 27 per cent and 55 per cent, respectively.”
“grossly insufficient as the committed liability for 2015-16 and 2016-17 is Rs 89.53 crore”
“has consistently seen underutilisation of funds since 2020-21”
“The implementation of plantation and maintenance activities under the GIM is undertaken through local institutions”
Where accounts differ
Each party's account, side by side, with its source. The record does not settle these points; it shows them.
Over 1.84 lakh hectares under eco-restoration in 17 states and one Union Territory since 2015-16.
Telangana TodayAfforestation of approximately 0.15 million hectares against 2.8 million; a 97.57% shortfall on ecosystem restoration; nearly 70% of assessed locations with little to no improvement.
Mongabay-IndiaThe mission aimed to improve forest quality on 1.4 million hectares but covered 0.11 million hectares.
Vision IAS, summarising The HinduUtilisation under the National Mission for Green India was 55 per cent and 'grossly suboptimal'.
The TribuneOnly 28% of the allocated budget had been utilised under the 2025-26 revised estimates, with underutilisation since 2020-21.
PRS Legislative Research944.48 crore rupees disbursed to 17 states and one Union Territory.
IMPRI Impact and Policy Research InstituteHow it looked
Shown
- Mission described as aiming to protect, restore and enhance India's forest cover and tackle climate change through plantation in selected degraded, vulnerable landscapes.PRS Legislative Research, describing the mission · PRS Legislative Research
- More than 1.84 lakh hectares under eco-restoration in 17 states and one Union Territory since 2015-16.Kirti Vardhan Singh, Minister of State for Environment, Lok Sabha reply reported by PTI · Telangana Today
- 944.48 crore rupees disbursed to 17 states and one Union Territory and 1,55,130 hectares under plantation and eco-restoration as of 2024-25.Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, citing a 2024 PIB release, as reported by IMPRI · IMPRI Impact and Policy Research Institute
Recorded
- CAG performance audit (submitted 12 August 2026), as reported by Mongabay-India: afforestation about 0.15 million hectares of a 2.8 million hectare target; 97.57% shortfall on ecosystem restoration; nearly 70% of assessed locations with little to no improvement.
- Parliamentary committee (2023): fund utilisation 55 per cent for the National Mission for Green India. PRS (2026): 28% of the allocated budget utilised under the 2025-26 revised estimates.
- Parliamentary committee (reported February 2019): targeted 67,956 hectares and achieved 44,749 hectares in 2015-16 and 2016-17.
- CAG, as reported: 11.49 billion rupees of actual direct central contributions over the 10-year audit period against an initial central allocation of 130 billion rupees.
- No Ministry response to the CAG audit appears in the sources reviewed.
In nature's name
Promised
- “to protect, restore, and enhance India's forest cover and tackle climate change by undertaking plantation activities in the forest and non-forest areas in selected degraded, vulnerable landscapes” — PRS Legislative Research, describing the National Mission for a Green India (11 February 2026) PRS Legislative Research
Money moved in nature's name
| What | Kind | Amount | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial central allocation Government of India Mongabay-India | Budget | 130bn INR | 2015-2025 |
| Proposed outlay over 10 years Government of India Down To Earth | Budget | 600bn INR | 10 years from 2015 |
| Proposed convergence funding from MGNREGA Government of India Mongabay-India | Pledged | 40bn INR | 2015-2025 |
| Proposed convergence funding from the National Afforestation Policy Government of India Mongabay-India | Pledged | 6bn INR | 2015-2025 |
| Proposed convergence funding from compensatory afforestation Government of India Mongabay-India | Pledged | 60bn INR | 2015-2025 |
| Actual direct central contributions over the audit period Government of India Mongabay-India | Paid out | 11.5bn INR | 2015-16 to 2024-25 |
| Disbursed to 17 states and one Union Territory for plantation, eco-restoration and livelihood work Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change IMPRI Impact and Policy Research Institute | Paid out | 9.4bn INR | to 2024-25 |
| Allocation for the mission Government of India Down To Earth | Budget | 478m INR | 2017-18 |
| Allocation for the mission Government of India PRS Legislative Research | Budget | 1.7bn INR | 2026-27 |
| Allocated so far in FY2026-27 to seven states Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Telangana Today | Budget | 571m INR | 2026-27 |
What was measured
The Comptroller and Auditor General's site inspections, as reported by Mongabay-India, measured afforestation of about 0.15 million hectares against a 2.8 million hectare target and a 97.57% shortfall on a 1.4 million hectare ecosystem restoration target, with nearly 70% of assessed locations showing little to no improvement. The audit report itself was not read. The Ministry's own figures (over 1.84 lakh hectares of eco-restoration) are the implementer's and are not independent.
Operation Ongoing · Funds were allocated for 2026-27 to seven states. Telangana Today
Findings on record
- Official audit Comptroller and Auditor General of India, as reported by Mongabay-India (2026-08-12) · Report No. 4 of 2026, performance audit of the Green India Mission (report not read): “fundamental weaknesses in planning and design as well as deficiencies in execution and monitoring” Mongabay-India
- Official audit Parliamentary Standing Committee on Demands for Grants (2023-24), Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (2023-03) · Report tabled in Rajya Sabha, March 2023, as reported by The Tribune: “the utilisation of funds has been grossly suboptimal at 27 per cent and 55 per cent, respectively.” The Tribune
- Official audit Parliamentary committee on the National Action Plan on Climate Change · Performance of the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) pertaining to Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, as reported by Down To Earth on 19 February 2019: “grossly insufficient as the committed liability for 2015-16 and 2016-17 is Rs 89.53 crore” Down To Earth
Who gained
Reached nature or the ground
Gained elsewhere
Responses on record
- Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (10 August 2026): Through the Minister of State for Environment, told the Lok Sabha that over 1.84 lakh hectares were under eco-restoration in 17 states and one Union Territory since 2015-16 and that Rs 57.08 crore had been allocated so far in FY2026-27 to seven states. · Telangana Today
- Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change: No response to the CAG audit appears in the sources reviewed.
- Comptroller and Auditor General of India (12 August 2026): Submitted its performance audit of the Green India Mission to Parliament, reporting fundamental weaknesses in planning, design, execution and monitoring. · Mongabay-India
In court and with insurers
Lawsuits and rulings
Insurers
What nature saw
Nature's report opens this page. Below: further outcomes measured on the ground.
What we don't know
Nature
- Not measured Harm to nature: The record holds no measurement of harm to nature.
- Disputed How much of the mission's area targets has been achieved
Accounts
- Disputed How much of the mission's funds were used
Record
- None on record None on record: the Ministry's response to the CAG audit in the sources reviewed; the Mongabay-India and The Hindu summaries carry none.
- Unclear Unclear: the mission's budget. Down To Earth reported a proposed outlay of Rs 60,000 crore over 10 years (2019); Mongabay-India reports an initial central allocation of 130 billion rupees (CAG, 2026); the sources reviewed do not reconcile the two.
- Disputed Unclear: area achieved against forest-quality targets. Mongabay-India reports a 97.57% shortfall on 1.4 million hectares of ecosystem restoration; a Hindu editorial summary reports 0.11 million hectares covered against 1.4 million hectares; the Ministry reports over 1.84 lakh hectares of eco-restoration since 2015-16. The measures differ and are not reconciled.
- Not measured Not measured: carbon sequestration at mission sites; the audit reports that only Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh among the assessed states conducted carbon sequestration assessments between 2015 and 2025.
Did the harm stop?
Who paid?
The Government of India's central budget: Rs 47.8 crore allocated for 2017-18, Rs 170 crore for 2026-27, 944.48 crore rupees disbursed to states as of 2024-25 (IMPRI citing PIB), and 11.49 billion rupees of direct central contributions over the audit period (CAG, as reported). The proposed 40, 6 and 60 billion rupees of convergence funding was largely not realised according to Mongabay-India's report of the audit.
Sources
Government and regulators
- Green India Mission brings over 1.84 lakh hectares under eco-restoration since 2015-16: Govt (PTI)Telangana Today · 2026-08-10
Press and investigations
- Audit exposes fundamental flaws in Green India Mission's execution (Simrin Sirur)Mongabay-India · 2026-08-24
- Losing forest for trees: On the CAG's audit of the Green India Mission (The Hindu editorial summary)Vision IAS, summarising The Hindu · 2026-08-18
- Green India Mission grossly underfunded: Parliament panel (Ishan Kukreti)Down To Earth · 2019-02-19
Communities and civil society
- Demand for Grants 2026-27 Analysis: Environment, Forests and Climate ChangePRS Legislative Research · 2026-02-11
- Green India Mission (2014): Building a Greener Future for India (Pritha Chowdhary), policy updateIMPRI Impact and Policy Research Institute · 2026-09-27
Connected cases
- Bonn Challenge: pledges to restore 350 million hectares of degraded and deforested land by 2030 Germany · 2011–2026
- Government of India (Government) — here: Central government funding the mission; there: Holder of the largest pledge (26 million hectares)
- CAG audit finds 12 of 44 Ganga sewage plants discharge untreated water India · date not stated
- Comptroller and Auditor General of India (Public authority) — here: Audited the mission in a performance audit submitted to Parliament in August 2026; there: audit body that found the untreated discharge
- CAG found delays in 26 of 46 Namami Gange schemes in 2017 India · 2017–2026
- Comptroller and Auditor General of India (Public authority) — here: Audited the mission in a performance audit submitted to Parliament in August 2026; there: Auditor that found delays and untreated discharges
- Great Nicobar project compensatory afforestation (India) India · 2023–2025
- Comptroller and Auditor General of India (Public authority) — here: Audited the mission in a performance audit submitted to Parliament in August 2026; there: Auditor that reported on the compensatory afforestation fund
- IFFCO sells nano urea under a fertiliser subsidy; a Punjab trial reported lower yields India · 2021–2026
- Government of India (Government) — here: Central government funding the mission; there: fertiliser subsidy payer
- India approved clearing over 8,500 hectares of forest despite a Supreme Court order India · 2025
- Government of India (Government) — here: Central government funding the mission; there: Gave the nod to clear over 8,500 hectares
- India CAMPA compensatory afforestation fund India · 2006–2025
- Comptroller and Auditor General of India (Public authority) — here: Audited the mission in a performance audit submitted to Parliament in August 2026; there: Auditor: found misuse in Uttarakhand; 2013 audit of planting
- India PMFBY crop insurance India · 2016
- Government of India (Government) — here: Central government funding the mission; there: Pays the premium share not paid by farmers; presented the scheme's figures
- India's 1975–77 Emergency sterilisation drive drew a $66 million World Bank loan India · 1975–1977
- Government of India (Government) — here: Central government funding the mission; there: Ran the sterilisation campaign
- India's scrap tyre imports reach 1.398 million tonnes in FY2024 India · 2021–2024
- Government of India (Government) — here: Central government funding the mission; there: Source of the import data cited in the report
- India's top court refuses more Bhopal compensation from Union Carbide successors India · 1989–2025
- Government of India (Government) — here: Central government funding the mission; there: filed the curative petition; paid for the waste incineration
- Indian government paid Rs 126 crore to incinerate Union Carbide Bhopal waste India · 2025
- Government of India (Government) — here: Central government funding the mission; there: Paid for the incineration from the state budget
- Indus Waters Treaty suspension India / Pakistan · 2025
- Government of India (Government) — here: Central government funding the mission; there: Suspended the treaty
- Kerala endosulfan compensation delayed as producer's Shroff family sells stake India · 2011–2026
- Government of India (Government) — here: Central government funding the mission; there: Objected to listing endosulfan under the Stockholm Convention
- Red sandalwood funds made up most of India's benefit-sharing payouts India · 2017–2025
- Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) (Government) — here: Ministry implementing the mission; there: Ministry responsible for access and benefit-sharing
- Supreme Court dismisses Centre's bid for more Bhopal compensation from Union Carbide India · 1989–2025
- Government of India (Government) — here: Central government funding the mission; there: Paid the incineration cost; petitioner for more compensation
- US import ban on shrimp harvested without turtle protection: WTO dispute DS58 (US – Shrimp) United States · 1989–2001
- Government of India (Government) — here: Central government funding the mission; there: Complainant (consultations requested 8 October 1996)
- World Bank-backed dams displaced people, and reviews found incomes often not restored Global · 1985–2018
- Government of India (Government) — here: Central government funding the mission; there: Host government for the Sardar Sarovar dam