Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his last ‘Mann Ki Baat’ broadcast over All India Radio in December, briefly spoke about the transformation of Kalahandi, a region often prone to droughts. Thanks to the relentless efforts of a few farmers, the Kisan Utpad Sangh, riding on modern technology, is now known for ushering in a vegetable revolution. The PM mentioned the cultivation of tomatoes on 200 acres and bitter gourd on 150 acres. Spearheaded by one person, Krushna Nag, this organisation of farmer-producers, which currently sells its produce across Odisha, is now planning to expand into potato cultivation. Thanks to these efforts, seasonal droughts and migration have been halted in this region.
There are many such individuals who have taken the initiative and started greening parts of India. Pradip Shah’s NGO, GrowTrees.com, which plants trees to reverse environmental damage, recently launched the Ratan Tata Memorial Forest, a year-long drive to plant trees in Uttarakhand. Four lakh trees will be planted across districts in the state to commemorate the late industrialist. The NGO aims to seed three million trees in 2025.
While individuals are doing their part, greening India is a movement that can truly take off with government initiatives. In China, a movement began in 1978 to build a green wall by planting trees on the periphery of the Gobi and Taklamakan deserts in the northwest. The trees were used to stabilise cold winds from the north, reduce the spread of the deserts, and eventually make the nearby regions cultivable. The tree belt is expected to be completed by 2050. The intensity of dust storms has reduced significantly to 25 per cent of what it was in 1978, spurring vegetation growth, according to a study by the Royal Geographical Society. Of course, certain trees must be replaced and replanted periodically.
The Great Man-Made River project in Libya, initiated by the late Muammar Gaddafi, is another example of how underground water from numerous aquifers was transported through nearly 4,000 km of pipelines across the Sahara Desert to meet the water supply needs of cities like Tripoli and Tobruk in the north and northwest of Libya.
Both countries, with large tracts of desert, have overcome significant challenges and offer solutions to utilise their vast landmasses effectively.
Fortunately, India does not face problems of such magnitude. However, it does have the Thar Desert, spanning parts of Punjab, Rajasthan, and Gujarat—over 1.25 lakh sq km. The Rann of Kutch alone is about 7,505 sq km. Greening even the periphery of these deserts requires significant effort. There is no denying the correlation between vegetation and climate change. Only a government with foresight can undertake such mammoth projects, which may span 50, 75, or even 100 years.
With its vast pool of engineers, workforce, and state-of-the-art technology, the government can surely begin, as taking the first step is often the biggest hurdle. The execution may take decades, but people will always remember those who initiated it. What is required is not just funds—which may not be substantial—but a willingness and vision to undertake such mega projects. In addition to funding, the government can provide saplings and clear direction to push the initiative forward.
If the government can bring water to irrigate land in Punjab and Gujarat, it can certainly take steps to convert arid land into cultivable land. The current government, under Modi, has already taken the first step towards linking rivers by initiating the Ken-Betwa project. While river linking is itself a mega project, greening India requires a different mindset. It demands leaders with tremendous zeal and fervour, coupled with honesty and integrity, to head such initiatives.
Breaking these projects into smaller, manageable units is crucial. Each project should be entrusted to an individual, ideally selected from the gram panchayat of the village near the proposed project site. Community involvement is essential for any multi-decade project.
Projects that benefit people cannot succeed without their full support. The Kalahandi project was initiated by one individual but was carried forward by the entire community, leading to prosperity and the creation of wealth for generations. Similarly, Pradip Shah’s GrowTrees.com has planted over two crore trees across 22 states. Just as the Tatas have been involved, other corporates could also be roped in to create forests near the
desert regions.