India is a vast land full of contrasts: it has moist and dry tropical forests, temperate and subtropical montane forests, and alpine forests and mangrove forests.

India is one of the 17 “megadiverse” countries: Around 8% of the world's flora and fauna is found in India, including the Bengal Tigers. With nearly 3,000 tigers, India supports the largest population globally. Additionally, there are about 20,000 tree species in the world and India has one of the largest tree treasuries.

Lastly, India's forests support the livelihoods of almost 275 million people, who depend on them for food, fuelwood, fodder, and other forest products.

Despite the importance of India's diverse forests for all mentioned above, forests have been severely depleted across the country. A huge push for economic development in the last decade has seen a rise in industrial projects, at the expense of forests and forest lands. According to government data, 14,000 square kilometers of forests were cleared to make way for thousands of industrial projects over the past 30 years.

Reasons to plant trees in India

1. Food Security
   Planting fruit trees is an investment in the future of the environment and in healthy, sustainable food choices. Each fruit tree planted in India provides at least $10 USD in food and nutrition each year.

2. Adapt to climate change
   A mature tree can sequester up to 22 kg of carbon per year. India suffers some of the worst air quality in the world, so planting trees is particularly useful in filtering and improving air quality. Trees actively help mitigate climate change.

3. Prevent deforestation
   According to scientists, India has lost 40% of its natural forest cover in the last 95 years. Driven by mining, agriculture and urbanization, this profound forest loss can be remedied by reforestation. Restoring forests will improve the lives of the estimated 275 million Indians.