Government Notifies Green Credit Programme Rules for Environmental Conservation
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has established the Green Credit Programme as an innovative mechanism to incentivize environmentally positive actions and promote the objectives of Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) movement. The programme aims to encourage sustainable lifestyles by driving communities toward behavioral changes that support environment-friendly actions, with specific goals of increasing green cover, enhancing carbon sequestration, restoring degraded lands, and reducing carbon footprint through adoption of environment-friendly technologies and practices.
Regulatory Framework and Implementation Structure
The Central Government formally notified the Green Credit Rules, 2023 on October 12, 2023, under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, to encourage voluntary environmental actions that result in the issuance of Green Credits. The modality for tree plantation and eco-restoration of degraded forest lands was notified on February 22, 2024, and subsequently revised on August 29, 2025. The Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education, Dehradun, has been designated as the Administrator responsible for the effective implementation, management, operation, and issuance of green credits under the programme. A dedicated Green Credit Programme Portal (https://moefccgcp.in/) has been developed to facilitate the initiative.
Programme Operations and Eligibility Criteria
The Green Credit Programme aims to restore degraded forest lands through active participation of both public and private sector entities. State Forest Departments are responsible for selecting and registering degraded forest land parcels after conducting proper ground verification. Applicants can claim Green Credits only after completing a minimum five-year restoration period and achieving a minimum canopy density of forty percent. This five-year establishment period allows planted seedlings and natural regenerations to mature and develop adequate canopy cover to meet the prescribed density requirement corresponding to a moderately dense forest.
Verification Process and Community Benefits
A designated agency under the Green Credit Programme conducts verification of Green Credit claims and submits reports to the Administrator regarding the verification of activities undertaken by applicants. The forest restoration activities aim to enhance biodiversity and improve the productivity of forest resources, with benefits to local communities including increased availability of timber, non-timber forest produce, fodder, water, and other ecosystem services. A comprehensive Manual on Monitoring and Reporting of Restoration Activities has been developed to facilitate effective implementation and monitoring of the programme.