Mumbai: To increase the green cover in the state, CM Devendra Fadnavis on Monday directed a mission-mode program for planting 300 crore trees between 2026 and 2031 be undertaken. He also instructed that experts, NGOs, and startups working in this sector be actively involved in the plantation drive.Fadnavis called for a three-pronged approach of environmental conservation, climate change mitigation, and rural employment generation to increase the tree cover to 33 per cent.
He was holding a review meeting on the proposed Green Maharashtra Authority – 300 Crore Tree Plantation Mission at his official residence Varsha. He directed a proposal to establish the Green Maharashtra Authority be presented before the cabinet. Priority will be given to regions with low forest cover such as Marathwada. Under the Green Maharashtra initiative, approximately 20 crore trees will be planted in the first year, depending on sapling availability. Bamboo and teak plantations will be included. For sapling production, participation of government nurseries along with private nurseries and Self-Help Groups will be ensured and targets set, stated a govt press release.During the meeting, MITRA CEO Pravin Pardeshi made a presentation on the mission. Under this initiative, plantation will be carried out only with species suitable to local ecosystems based on agro-climatic zones. Grasslands and wetlands will not be afforested but restored. Implementation will be monitored through a digital and satellite-based real-time system, ensuring transparent recording of plantation and tree survival rates. Regular monitoring of tree survival, forest development, and sapling growth will be conducted.Maintenance for three to five years will be ensured through MGNREGA, CAMPA, Agriculture Department, and local self-government schemes. However, the tree survival period has been extended to 10 years.
