SLRD–YesEarth Flagship
SLRD–YesEarth Flagship Mission
100 million native trees by 2030
A pan-India tree plantation and ecological restoration mission under the YesEarth initiative of the School of Livelihood and Rural Development (SLRD). It combines grassroots participation, scientific rigour and digital innovation to make India greener, more resilient and more inclusive.
The Challenge: India’s Ecological and Climate Crisis
India is grappling with a deepening environmental crisis that threatens not only biodiversity but also the health, livelihoods and well-being of millions of people. According to ISRO, over 30% of India’s land is already degraded. The rapid destruction of natural ecosystems is accompanied by the loss of vital flora and fauna, while the increase in monocultures and unsustainable land use continues to fragment habitats.
Climate change further intensifies the crisis, triggering unpredictable monsoons, frequent heatwaves and extreme weather events. Forest-dependent communities, already socioeconomically vulnerable, are bearing the brunt. Many existing afforestation efforts remain superficial, failing to ensure long-term ecological or social benefits due to limited local engagement and inadequate monitoring systems.
Why Most Plantation Campaigns Fail
While tree-planting drives have become common across India, their long-term success has often been poor. A significant proportion of saplings, more than 60%, fail to survive due to neglect. The use of non-native and fast-growing species that disrupt local ecosystems further reduces ecological value.
Many campaigns focus on one-time planting events, with no mechanisms for replanting, protection or follow-up care. Without engaging the communities who live on and with the land, these plantations remain orphaned. The absence of scientific tracking or digital accountability leads to inflated claims with little real impact.
The Solution: Guardians of the Green by SLRD–YesEarth
Guardians of the Green – India 2030 is an innovative, scalable and community-centric solution launched by SLRD and its sustainability platform YesEarth. The mission aims to reverse ecological degradation by planting and sustaining 100 million native trees across India by 2030.
It focuses on verified carbon sequestration, biodiversity restoration, green livelihood generation and building a youth-driven environmental movement. Unlike traditional plantation programs, it emphasizes community stewardship, rigorous monitoring and convergence with national climate and development goals. It aligns with the SDGs, India’s NDCs under the Paris Agreement and the Green India Mission.
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Restore India’s forests, empower rural communities, combat climate change and inspire youth to lead climate action.
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