Abstract
Afforestation and plantation programs play a pivotal role in restoring degraded ecosystems, enhancing biodiversity, mitigating climate change, and supporting rural livelihoods. Madhya Pradesh (MP), known as the “Heart of India,” has vast forests and semi-arid regions where large-scale plantation drives have been undertaken under schemes such as the National Afforestation Programme (NAP), Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA), and state-level green initiatives. This paper evaluates the environmental impact of plantation programs across various agro-climatic regions of MP — Central, Eastern, Western, and Southern — through parameters such as vegetation cover, carbon sequestration, soil fertility, and microclimatic regulation. The assessment highlights both positive outcomes and emerging challenges in sustaining ecological balance and ensuring biodiversity integrity.
