Environmental Conservation Initiatives (Afforestation)
Environment & Ecology
- PYQs5
- Articles1
Background
UPSC values understanding government initiatives for environmental protection, the role of various agencies (including non-traditional ones like CAPFs) in national development, and the importance of afforestation for climate change mitigation, biodiversity enhancement, and ecological balance.
Environmental conservation encompasses efforts to protect natural resources, ecosystems, and biodiversity from degradation. Afforestation, the establishment of forests on land previously devoid of tree cover, is a crucial strategy for mitigating climate change, enhancing biodiversity, preventing soil erosion, and improving air quality, aligning with national and international ecological goals.
Facts & tables
- Total Saplings Planted
- 6,68,40,570 saplings during 2020-2025
- Implementing Agencies
- Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs)
- Infrastructure Developed
- 3212 Nurseries and 1995 Gardens/Vatikas (dedicated to martyrs)
- Geographic Scope
- Across all States and Union Territories of India
| Name of Force | Nurseries Developed | Vatikas Dedicated to Martyrs |
|---|---|---|
| Assam Rifles | 299 | 140 |
| Borders Security Force | 1097 | 544 |
| Central Industrial Security Force | 291 | 256 |
| Central Reserve Police Force | 1117 | 763 |
| Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force | 121 | 144 |
| National Security Guard | 31 | 19 |
| Sashastra Seema Bal | 256 | 129 |
| Total | 3212 | 1995 |
| Type | Reference |
|---|---|
| Conceptual area | Environment & Ecology |
| Conceptual area | Climate Change & Conventions |
| Conceptual area | Biodiversity Conservation & Protected Areas |
| Body | Role |
|---|---|
| Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) | Implements |
| Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) | Oversees |
Prelims angle
Prelims angle: Statement-based questions
Prelims angle: Factual recall
- CAPFs planted over 6.6 crore saplings across India (2020-2025).
- Developed 3212 nurseries and 1995 'Vatikas' (gardens dedicated to martyrs).
- Initiative spans all states and UTs, demonstrating a widespread national effort.
- Contributes to biodiversity enhancement, climate change mitigation, and ecological balance.
- Highlights the multi-agency approach to achieving national environmental goals.
| Year | Framing tags |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2021 | Statement-based questions, Factual recall |
| 2019 | Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding |
| 2015 | Statement-based questions, Multi-statement analysis |
| 2015 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
Timeline
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Environment & Ecology
Conceptual area
-
Climate Change & Conventions
Conceptual area
-
Biodiversity Conservation & Protected Areas
Conceptual area
-
Prelims 2015
Statement-based questions, Multi-statement analysis
-
Prelims 2015
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2019
Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding
-
Prelims 2021
Statement-based questions, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2026
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
-
INITIATIVES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION BY CAPFs
Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) have undertaken a massive afforestation drive across India, planting over 6.6 crore saplings and developing thousands of nurseries and 'Vatikas' from 2020-2025, significantly contributing to national environmental conservation goals.
See also
No related topics linked yet.
Past papers
2015–2021 · 3 questions
In the news
INITIATIVES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION BY CAPFs
Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) have undertaken a massive afforestation drive across India, planting over 6.6 crore saplings and developing thousands of nurseries and 'Vatikas' from 2020-2025, significantly contributing to national environmental conservation goals.
Try these PYQs
Consider the following statements:
**Statement 1:** The United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) and the Arbor Day Foundation have recently recognized Hyderabad as 2020 Tree City of the World.
**Statement 2:** Hyderabad was selected for the recognition for a year following its commitment to grow and maintain the urban forests.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
Statement 1 is incorrect: Hyderabad was indeed recognized as a Tree City of the World, but not by the UNCDF and Arbor Day Foundation together.
The recognition comes from a joint program by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Arbor Day Foundation. Statement 2 is correct: Hyderabad was selected as a 2020 Tree City of the World by the Arbor Day Foundation in recognition of the city's commitment to urban forestry, including growing and maintaining its urban forests. Therefore, only the second statement is correct, and the first statement is incorrect.
Consider the following statements :
1. Under the Ramsar Convention, it is mandatory on the part of the Government of India to protect and conserve all the wetlands in the territory of India.
2. The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010 were framed by the Government of India based on the recommendations of Ramsar Convention.
3. The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010 also encompass the drainage area or catchment regions of the wetlands as determined by the authority.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Statement 1 is incorrect. While the Ramsar Convention encourages member countries to take action for wetland conservation and wise use, there's no legal mandate to protect all wetlands. Statement 2 is incorrect. The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010 were formulated by the Indian government to regulate activities in wetlands, and their development was not certainly influenced by the Ramsar Convention's principles. The rules also consider other national legislations and priorities. Statement 3 is correct. The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010 do encompass the drainage area or catchment regions of the wetlands. This holistic approach recognizes the importance of the surrounding area for the overall health and functioning of the wetland ecosystem.
With reference to the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES),
Which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. IUCN is an organ of the United Nations and CITES is an international agreement between governments
2. IUCN runs thousands of field projects around the world to better manage natural environments.
3. CITES is legally binding on the States that have joined it, but this Convention does not take the place of national laws.
Select the correct using the code given below.
Statement 1 is incorrect: IUCN is an independent membership organization, not a UN body. Governments, NGOs, and scientific institutions can all be members. Statement 2 is correct: IUCN runs thousands of field projects around the world to better manage natural environments. Statement 3 is correct: CITES is a legally binding international agreement for countries that have ratified it. However, each member nation implements the regulations through its own domestic laws.
With reference to an organization known as ‘Birdlife International’ which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. It is a Global Partnership of Conservation Organizations.
2. The concept of ‘biodiversity hotspots’ originated from this organization.
3. It identifies the sites known/referred to as ‘Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas’.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Statement 1 is correct: BirdLife's Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) Programme aims to identify, monitor, and protect a global network of IBAs for the conservation of the world's birds and other wildlife. Statement 2 is incorrect: The British biologist Norman Myers coined the term biodiversity hotspot in 1988 as a biogeographic region characterized both by exceptional levels of plant endemism and by serious levels of habitat loss. Statement 3 is correct: One of their key activities involves identifying and designating Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs), critical sites for bird conservation that also contribute significantly to overall biodiversity.
Which of the following statements in relation to NIRANTAR (National Institute for Research and Application of Natural Resources to Transform, Adapt and Build Resilience), a platform of institutions under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, is/are correct ?
1. Ecosystem Survey and Analysis is a vertical under this platform, the lead institute of which is Botanical Survey of India, Kolkata.
2. Research and Management of Ecosystem Service is a vertical under this platform, the lead institute of which is Central Zoo Authority, New Delhi.
3. Capacity Development Support is a vertical under this platform, the lead institute of which is Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal.
Select the answer using the code given below :
Statement 1 is Correct: The National Institute for Research and Application of Natural Resources to Transform, Adapt and Build Resilience (NIRANTAR) is a collaborative platform under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). Ecosystem Survey & Analysis is one of its four thematic verticals, and its lead institute is the Botanical Survey of India (BSI), Kolkata. Statement 2 is Incorrect: The Research and Management of Ecosystem Service vertical is led by the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE), Dehradun, not the Central Zoo Authority (CZA). The CZA is merely a participating institute under this vertical. Statement 3 is Correct: The Capacity Development Support vertical focuses on research, education, and capacity building. The lead institute for this vertical is the Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM), Bhopal. Therefore, option B is the correct answer.