Maharashtra To Plant 300 Crore Trees To Boost Forest Cover, Announces CM Devendra Fadnavis

In an effort to enhance the green cover in Maharashtra, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has announced an initiative to plant 300 crore trees. This plan aims to increase the state’s forest area to 33 per cent and integrate arboriculture into government policy to support effective tree conservation. This announcement was made during the 'Vriksh Vardhan: 2nd International Arboriculture Conference 2026' held on March 8, 2026. Arboriculture focuses on cultivating trees and shrubs, and the government is committed to transforming Maharashtra’s environment through innovation and sustainable practices.

During his speech, CM Fadnavis highlighted an ambitious goal of planting 3 billion trees to increase forest cover from the current 16.5% to 33%. According to a report from the Forest Survey of India, Maharashtra has made significant strides in enhancing Mumbai’s mangrove areas.

Maharashtra To Plant 300 Crore Trees, Aims To Increase The Forest Cover To 33%

The core principle of this initiative is to ensure that development and environmental protection coexist harmoniously. By using arboriculture techniques and advanced monitoring systems, the health of trees can be evaluated, tracked throughout their life cycle, and effectively maintained, establishing a sustainable framework for tree conservation.

Fadnavis emphasized that arboriculture acts as a “doctor for trees,” utilizing modern technology to assess tree health and implement conservation strategies.

Previously, the state government successfully implemented a program to plant 50 crore trees, with the publication 'Forest in India' noting an increase in Maharashtra’s forest area. However, the state’s total forest cover currently represents only 16.5 per cent of its total geographical area. The upcoming tree plantings will be based on scientific research that considers regional soil types, agro-climatic conditions, and appropriate tree species.

Fadnavis also mentioned that any mangrove removal requires permission from the Bombay High Court, and while some have been cleared for development, compensatory mangrove parks have been established.