Model Question and Answers for APSC | What is “trees outside forests in India” program?

Ans: The TOFI programme is a joint initiative of India and the United States to increase green cover outside forest lands in India. It was jointly launched by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the USAID.

The “trees outside forests in India (TOFI)” programme in Assam was jointly launched by the Assam Government and the USAID in Assam to expand tree coverage outside the traditional forest areas in the northeastern state.

Key Features:

• It aims to bring together farmers, private entities and businesses to expand the tree cover in India in places like farms, pastures, meadows, parks, cities, roadsides, near rivers and other non-forest landscapes. This will significantly address concerns regarding pollution and habitat loss.

• The programme will be implemented by a consortium led by Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) and World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF). It is implemented in 7 states – Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Haryana, Odisha, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh.

• It aims to rope in private entities to promote and scale traditional practice of agroforestry in the state through the adoption of modern methods to integrate productivity and profitability with environmental initiatives.
• It will help boost the sale of carbon credits, promote job growth, increase incomes and help people overcome the economic impact of the pandemic.
• It is expected to enhance carbon sequestration, strengthen climate resilience of agriculture and support India’s national goals, international commitments and also provide impetus for “Lifestyle for Environment movement.”