India at UNFF20: Forest Achievements, Big Cat Alliance & Global Green Leadership

Introduction: India’s Role at UNFF20

Held under the auspices of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), UNFF20 provided a vital platform for global discussion on forest conservation, climate change mitigation, and ecosystem-based policymaking. India, as a key participant, shared its national successes and extended global initiatives that align with the UN Strategic Plan for Forests 2030.

From increasing forest cover to pioneering new biodiversity coalitions, India’s delegation emphasized holistic and people-centric solutions to environmental restoration, reinforcing its position as a climate-conscious and ecologically progressive nation.

Table of Contents

• Introduction: India’s Role at UNFF20
• Expanding Forest and Tree Cover in India
• ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ (Plant4Mother): A Mass Green Movement
• Leading the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA)
• Forest Fire Management: A Global Priority
• Restoring Degraded Landscapes: Innovation + Communities + Tech
• Ecosystem Valuation: Putting Forests on the Economic Map
• India’s Global Green Leadership: Diplomatic and Environmental Impact
• FAQs: India’s Achievements at UNFF20
• Conclusion: India’s Vision for Forests and Global Collaboration

Expanding Forest and Tree Cover in India

India’s green cover continues to grow steadily, with notable milestones highlighted at UNFF20:

• 25.17% of India’s geographical area is now under forest and tree cover, according to the India State of Forest Report.
• Aravalli Green Wall Project was launched to revive degraded lands across 5 states, creating a 1,400 km-long green barrier.
• A 7.86% increase in mangrove cover showcases India’s successful coastal ecosystem preservation efforts.
• Under the Green India Mission, over 1.55 lakh hectares have been afforested, contributing to India’s national climate targets.

These achievements underline India’s commitment to the Bonn Challenge and Land Degradation Neutrality targets.

‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ (Plant4Mother): A Mass Green Movement

A standout initiative presented by India was the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign, aimed at emotional and environmental regeneration:

• 1.4 billion seedlings have been planted across the country under this movement.
• The campaign encourages citizens to plant a tree in memory or honor of their mothers, blending tradition, environmental awareness, and community action.
• It aligns with SDG 15 (Life on Land) and promotes climate resilience through grassroots participation.

By connecting tree-planting with personal values, India’s approach enhances collective stewardship of nature.

Leading the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA)

At the forum, India extended its leadership in wildlife conservation by urging all nations to join the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA):

• IBCA aims to protect and conserve seven big cat species: tigers, lions, leopards, jaguars, snow leopards, pumas, and cheetahs.
• Spearheaded by India, IBCA promotes:
  • Knowledge-sharing platforms.
  • Habitat connectivity across borders.
  • Technological collaboration for monitoring and anti-poaching efforts.
• India’s success with Project Tiger and the reintroduction of the Asiatic cheetah into Indian ecosystems provides a model for others to emulate.

Through IBCA, India emphasizes transboundary biodiversity governance and positions itself as a global wildlife policy leader.

Forest Fire Management: A Global Priority

At UNFF20, India emphasized the urgent need to address forest fires, which have been exacerbated by climate change and human activity.

• India reaffirmed its commitment to the Country-Led Initiative (CLI) on forest fire management, emphasizing global cooperation.
• Focus areas included:
  • Early warning systems using satellite data and real-time alerts.
  • Capacity building for forest personnel.
  • Promotion of community-based fire prevention strategies in vulnerable forest zones.
• The government also stressed the importance of forest certification systems to ensure sustainable and fire-resilient forest practices.

These efforts reflect India’s integrated approach combining policy, technology, and community engagement.

Restoring Degraded Landscapes: Innovation + Communities + Tech

India hosted a side event at UNFF20 to showcase its strategy for restoring degraded forest landscapes, focusing on a threefold integration:

1. Policy Innovation
   • Launch of region-specific policies under the National Afforestation Programme and Green India Mission.
   • Incentives for public-private partnerships in reforestation.
2. Community Participation
   • Engagement of tribal and forest-dwelling communities in joint forest management.
   • Training initiatives that enable locals to act as eco-restoration stewards.
3. Technology-Driven Solutions
   • Use of remote sensing, GIS, and AI for land restoration mapping.
   • Drones for afforestation seed dispersal in remote regions.

India’s approach bridges traditional knowledge with modern tools, ensuring scalable and inclusive restoration.

Ecosystem Valuation: Putting Forests on the Economic Map

India presented pioneering work in valuing ecosystem services at UNFF20, drawing from pilot studies in:

• Uttarakhand (Himalayan biodiversity)
• Rajasthan (arid-zone ecology)
• Tiger reserves (bio-tourism and carbon sequestration)

Key takeaways:

• Forests contribute immense economic value through water regulation, carbon capture, pollination, and tourism.
• India advocated integrating natural capital accounting into national planning and budgeting.
• This ensures that forest conservation is not only ecological but also fiscally prioritized.

The message was clear: forests are assets, not just landscapes.

India’s Global Green Leadership: Diplomatic and Environmental Impact

India’s participation at UNFF20 reflects its emergence as a thought leader in environmental diplomacy:

• Advocated south-south cooperation on forestry.
• Invited all UN members to align with India-led initiatives like IBCA and the Green Wall project.
• Showcased scalable models of climate adaptation, biodiversity conservation, and people-centric green development.

By connecting policy with practice, India is shaping global forest governance agendas for the coming decade.

FAQs: India’s Achievements at UNFF20

1. What is UNFF20 and why is it important?
   UNFF20 is the 20th session of the United Nations Forum on Forests, where global strategies for forest sustainability, restoration, and biodiversity conservation are discussed.
2. How much forest and tree cover does India have now?
   As of the latest India State of Forest Report, 25.17% of India’s geographical area is under forest and tree cover.
3. What is the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA)?
   Launched by India, IBCA is a global initiative focused on the conservation of seven big cat species across continents, promoting joint research, habitat protection, and anti-poaching strategies.
4. What does the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign aim to achieve?
   It encourages citizens to plant trees in honor of their mothers, combining environmental restoration with emotional engagement. Over 1.4 billion seedlings have been planted under this initiative.
5. What innovative steps is India taking in forest fire management?
   India is using early warning systems, community participation, and CLI outcomes to address rising forest fire risks while pushing for sustainable forest certification systems.

Conclusion: India’s Vision for Forests and Global Collaboration

India’s dynamic presence at UNFF20 reaffirms its role as a global leader in sustainable forest management. From increasing green cover and community-driven restoration to pioneering big cat conservation and ecosystem valuation, India is redefining how the world approaches forestry, biodiversity, and climate resilience.

With a clear commitment to integrating ecology, economy, and equity, India is not only preserving its forests but also setting the standard for global green governance.

Key Takeaways Table