Why is it in the news?

• The NITI Aayog recently launched the ‘Greening and Restoration of Wasteland with Agroforestry (GROW)’ report and portal to enhance environmental conservation and promote sustainable land use

 About GROW initiative

• GROW is a collaborative effort involving multiple institutions, with NITI Aayog taking the lead.
• The initiative employs advanced technologies such as remote sensing and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to assess the suitability of agroforestry in different regions of India.

Key Features:

• GROW provides detailed analyses at both state and district levels, supporting various government departments and industries in planning and implementing greening and restoration projects.
• It emphasizes the potential benefits of utilizing underutilized areas, particularly wastelands, for agroforestry purposes.
• GROW has developed an Agroforestry Suitability Index (ASI) for prioritizing agroforestry activities at the national level. This index helps in identifying areas with the highest potential for successful agroforestry interventions.
• The GROW-Suitability Mapping portal, named Bhuvan, provides universal access to state and district-level data. This portal allows stakeholders to access crucial information related to agroforestry suitability and plan interventions accordingly.
• The GROW initiative aligns with national commitments aimed at restoring 26 million hectares of degraded land by 2030.
• It also aims to create an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, contributing to climate change mitigation efforts.

Related Government Initiatives

• The Government of India, through its Union Budget (FY-2022-23), has emphasized the promotion of agroforestry and private forestry.
• Integrated Wasteland Development Programme (IWDP): IWDP focuses on developing wastelands, particularly in non-forest areas, by actively involving local communities.
• Wasteland Reclamation Strategies: It aims to restore desolate landscapes, revive biodiversity, and enhance economic and ecological value.
• Technological Interventions for Wasteland Reclamation: Various technological interventions, such as mulching, greenhouse cultivation, net houses, and high-density plantation, can help make wastelands fertile.
• State-wise Utilization of Wastelands: Certain states, such as Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, have significant potential for utilizing wastelands due to their extensive areas of such lands.