India attempted to create a world record as 800,000 volunteers planted a whopping 49.3 million tree saplings in 24 hours on July 11. The previous record of 847,275 trees was set by Pakistan in 2013. This is a phenomenal step towards reducing pollution and reforesting 12 per cent of the country.
Volunteers planted 80 species sourced from local nurseries in Uttar Pradesh along country roads, railways, highways and on public land.
Development has put forest cover at risk in India and this effort is part of the commitment India made at the Paris Climate Conference in December 2015. Signed on Earth Day 2016, India agreed to spend $6 billion to reforest 12 percent of its land which this will total up the forest cover to 235 million acres by 2030.
We do hope the saplings survive as they have a 40 per cent mortality rate when planted in such numbers. It is a challenge to care for the saplings as they are fragile after planting. They will be monitored via aerial photography.
A big step towards climate reduction efforts and towards improving air quality in India. Here’s to reforestation and sustainability!
Also Read: Sikkim – The Challenges of Being India’s first organic state