Our Mission
OUR FOCUS AREAS
India Forest Foundation is dedicated to the preservation, restoration, and sustainable management of India’s forests. Through strategic partnerships, policy advocacy, and conservation initiatives, we aim to protect biodiversity, support local communities, and promote sustainable development.
1. Conservation and Biodiversity Protection
- Establishing private and community-led forests to protect endangered species.
- Conducting reforestation and afforestation projects tailored to diverse ecological zones.
- Collaborating with environmental scientists and universities to research and document native flora and fauna.
- Raising awareness on critical ecosystems such as the Western Ghats, Sundarbans, Himalayan forests, and central Indian forests.
- Promoting the plantation of high-value native species like sandalwood and agarwood, which provide economic and ecological benefits.
- Acquiring land for large-scale afforestation projects to create green spaces for awareness, education, and conservation.
- Recognizing the ecological importance of India's forests, the Government of India has established protected areas, including 2 Biosphere Reserves, 13 National Parks, several Wildlife Sanctuaries, and many Reserve Forests.
2. Policy Advocacy and Sustainable Forestry
- Working with government bodies to strengthen forestry laws and climate policies.
- Supporting sustainable land-use practices that balance conservation with economic development.
- Promoting climate-resilient afforestation and ecosystem-based adaptation strategies.
- Encouraging responsible forestry certification programs to regulate deforestation and ensure sustainable timber use.
- Advocating for strict regulations on construction near forests, including guidelines on permissible activities, color themes to minimize environmental impact, and restrictions to protect natural habitats.
- Addressing deforestation caused by large-scale bamboo harvesting for paper production and promoting sustainable alternatives.
- Highlighting the negative impact of monoculture plantations (tea, rubber, coffee, etc.) on soil stability and biodiversity, which contribute to landslides and ecosystem degradation.
- India's forest cover has been steadily increasing, with 712,249 square kilometers (21.67% of India's total geographical area) in 2019, reflecting efforts toward reforestation and afforestation.
3. Corporate Partnerships and Sustainable Investment
- Assisting corporations in integrating sustainable forestry initiatives into their CSR programs.
- Developing carbon offset programs that enable businesses to invest in forest conservation.
- Partnering with industries to implement eco-friendly supply chain solutions.
- Creating investment opportunities in afforestation projects with long-term environmental and financial benefits.
4. Awareness & Education
- Conducting educational campaigns in schools, colleges, and social media to promote forest conservation.
- Engaging communities in tree plantation drives and wildlife protection initiatives.
- Partnering with media to share documentaries and stories on the impact of deforestation.
- Advocating against harmful practices by social media influencers who disrupt forest ecosystems by littering or damaging natural habitats.
- Promoting responsible tourism and enforcing bans on plastic waste in forested areas to protect wildlife from hazards like plastic ingestion.
WESTERN GHATS
How much forest is there in India? - How are India’s forests changing?
India is home to a diverse range of forests—moist and dry tropical forests, temperate and subtropical montane forests, alpine forests, and scrub forests. It is one of the 17 “megadiverse” countries and is home to 8% of the world’s known flora and fauna. In addition, Indian forests support the livelihood of nearly 275 million people, who are dependent on forests for food, fuelwood, fodder, and other forest products.
When Global Forest Watch (GFW) data is adjusted to the tree cover canopy threshold of 10%, it shows 39.1 million hectares of natural forests and 3.71 million hectares of plantations in India, mainly for wood fiber, timber, fruit, and oil palm. However, India’s Forest Survey (FSI) estimates nearly 71.2 million hectares of forest cover, including tree cover in plantations and other non-forest areas.
Between 2009 and 2017, FSI data shows a 2 million-hectare increase in forest cover, particularly in India’s densest and open forests. However, GFW data indicates that India lost 334,000 hectares of humid primary rainforest since 2001, crucial habitats for endangered species like the Bengal tiger. Since 1980, India has diverted 1.5 million hectares of forest land for development, mainly for industrialization, roads, and irrigation projects.
To counter deforestation, India has enforced a ban on tree felling without government approval, but this has led to increased timber and palm oil imports, indirectly contributing to deforestation in Indonesia and Malaysia.
What is Being Done?
Our Regional Impact
India has committed to major reforestation initiatives such as the Bonn Challenge and national restoration targets. WRI India’s Restoration Opportunities Atlas identifies 140 million hectares suitable for restoration, potentially sequestering 3 to 4.3 billion tons of carbon by 2040. Additionally:
- The Forest Rights Act (2006) empowers local communities to manage and conserve forests sustainably.
- Between 2011 and 2016, India allocated $16 billion USD to forestry and tree cover enhancement.
- Indian law mandates compensatory afforestation payments when forests are diverted for development, directing funds to restoration projects.
In rural areas, increasing tree cover supports food security, livelihoods, and poverty alleviation. Sustainable forestry is key to balancing economic development and environmental conservation.
Our initiatives are tailored to the unique ecological and socio-economic contexts of different forest regions in India:
- Western Ghats – A biodiversity hotspot with over 5,000 flowering plants, 139 mammals, 508 birds, and 179 amphibians, making it one of the eight most important global biodiversity hotspots. This region plays a key role in watershed functions and provides water supply to nearly 245 million people.
- Sundarbans – Mangrove restoration and climate adaptation strategies to protect this crucial ecosystem and its globally threatened species.
- Himalayan Forests – Protection of alpine biodiversity and watershed conservation.
- Central Indian Forests – Community-led afforestation and tribal empowerment projects to maintain the rich biodiversity of states such as Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha.
A FORESTIFICATION INITIATIVE
The Forestification Initiative
The Forestification Initiative is a large-scale afforestation, reforestation, and conservation effort aimed at restoring degraded lands, creating new forests, and protecting endangered ecosystems globally. It integrates scientific research, community participation, and innovative afforestation techniques to enhance biodiversity, combat climate change, and support sustainable development.
The India Forest Foundation is an initiative under Forestification.com that specifically focuses on India's unique forest ecosystems. It aligns with the broader Forestification Initiative but is tailored to India’s ecological diversity, environmental challenges, and socio-economic conditions. The foundation works to expand green cover, promote native species, involve communities in conservation, and drive policy advocacy for sustainable forestry in India.