The way forward for West Bengal’s greening

West Bengal's ambitious tree-planting target under Aranya Saptaha and Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam is critiqued for its focus on numbers over ecological suitability and biodiversity. The article advocates for a shift from top-down plantation drives to a restoration model based on community participation (Joint Forest Management Committees - JFMCs), quality seedlings, addressing human resource gaps, transparency, and long-term financial planning, drawing lessons from past successes like Bankura and Arabari. It emphasizes the need for a science-based approach tailored to West Bengal's diverse ecosystems, rather than a one-size-fits-all strategy.