Communities shift to climate-based forestry

Science

The Times of India

Harela and similar tree festivals highlight longstanding cultural respect for trees while raising practical questions about modern afforestation practices. The article argues that planting numbers alone are insufficient given low survival rates, species mismatches, and ongoing ecological decline, and it promotes climate-based forestry that matches species to local soil, climate, water and altitude. It stresses water conservation, mixed-species restoration, and monitoring survival rates as success metrics rather than sapling counts. Immediate consequences include potential shifts in planting programs, nursery supply, and policy emphasis toward species suitability, ecosystem function, and long-term restoration rather than short-term planting targets.

Afforestation must prioritize species suitability and ecosystem survival