PIB Summaries 25 October 2025
Content PM-ABHIM India’s Expanding Green Footprint PM-ABHIM Context Background: COVID-19 exposed critical gaps in India’s public health infrastructure—testing, surveillance, ICU capacity, and rural accessibility. Lesson: India required a decentralized, multi-tiered, and resilient health infrastructure for pandemic preparedness and public health emergencies. Response: Launched PM-ABHIM (Pradhan Mantri–Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission) on October 25, 2021, as part of India’s long-term pandemic response strategy. Relevance GS-2 (Governance & Health Policy): Strengthening health systems, cooperative federalism in health governance, and decentralised service delivery. GS-2 (Social Justice): Universal Health Coverage (UHC), equitable healthcare access, and public health preparedness. GS-3 (Disaster Management): Pandemic resilience, critical care infrastructure, and One Health integration. Objectives Strengthen health systems across primary, secondary, and tertiary levels. Ensure pandemic preparedness through upgraded surveillance, research, and critical care. Bridge service delivery gaps between urban and rural healthcare. Support Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and SDG-3 (Good Health & Well-being). Policy Frameworks and Linkages National Health Policy (2017): Stressed community-level health resilience and trained first responders. Envisioned integrated disaster preparedness at all levels of governance. National Health Mission (2005): Established decentralized, community-owned healthcare systems. Improved MCH, disease control, and infrastructure—served as PM-ABHIM’s foundation. Ayushman Bharat (2018): Four Pillars PM-JAY: Secondary & tertiary care insurance. Arogya Mandirs (HWCs): Strengthened primary care. ABDM: Digital health ecosystem. PM-ABHIM: Physical infrastructure for resilience. Budget and Timeframe Total Outlay (2021–26): ₹64,180 crore Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS): ₹54,204.78 crore Central Sector (CS): ₹9,339.78 crore Year-wise Allocation (₹ crore): Year Allocation (₹ crore) 2021–22 9,155.97 2022–23 10,465.09 2023–24 11,015.80 2024–25 13,551.30 2025–26 19,356.40 Total 63,544.56 + M&E (1%) = ₹64,180 crore 15th Finance Commission: Supported ₹19,272.43 crore share for health infrastructure augmentation. Core Components Primary Level (Community Access) Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAMs): Conversion of sub-health centres and PHCs into HWCs. 17,788 building-less SHCs approved for AAMs. 9,519 AAMs & 5,456 U-AAMs (urban slum areas) sanctioned. Secondary Level (Block-level Strengthening) Block Public Health Units (BPHUs): 3,382 planned; enhance surveillance, HR, and diagnostics. Integrate with e-health and disease monitoring systems. District Level Integrated Public Health Laboratories (IPHLs): 730 under development (1 per district). Ensure real-time testing, diagnostics, and outbreak investigation. Critical Care Hospital Blocks (CCBs): 602 being set up in districts >5 lakh population. Aim: 50–100 ICU beds per district for pandemic response. Pandemic Preparedness and Surveillance Network Real-time IT-enabled Disease Surveillance: Connects block → district → state → national labs. Enables early detection and containment of infectious disease outbreaks. One Health Approach: Integrates human, animal, and environmental health surveillance. Aligns with global zoonotic disease control frameworks (e.g., WHO Pandemic Agreement). Research and Innovation Encourages research on emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Supports collaboration with ICMR, DBT, and WHO’s PABS system for pathogen sharing and benefit access. Establishment of regional research hubs and bio-containment labs. Global Framework links WHO Pandemic Agreement (May 2025): Promotes equity in vaccine and diagnostic access. Introduces Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) and Global Supply Chain & Logistics Network (GSCL). Complements International Health Regulations (IHR, amended 2024) — both enhance outbreak readiness. Alignment with SDG-3 Targets: End epidemics of communicable diseases by 2030. Ensure access to safe, effective, affordable vaccines and medicines. Achieve UHC through strengthened national health systems. Administrative Progress Total approvals: ₹32,928.82 crore to States/UTs. Infrastructure Approved: 9,519 AAMs 5,456 U-AAMs 2,151 BPHUs 744 IPHLs 621 CCBs Coverage: All States and UTs under CSS implementation mode (FY 2021–26). Implementation Model Governance Mechanism: Convergent approach between MoHFW, State Health Departments, and Local Bodies. Regular monitoring via Health Management Information System (HMIS). Financing: 60:40 (Centre: State) for most States. 90:10 for NE & Hill States. 100% for UTs without legislature. Integration: PM-ABHIM + PM-JAY + ABDM = holistic health ecosystem (digital + financial + infrastructure). Significance Marks India’s largest health infrastructure investment since Independence. Builds “Health Security Architecture” — resilient, responsive, and equitable. Supports Make in India in Health by boosting diagnostics and medical technology ecosystems. Strengthens India’s epidemic intelligence and critical care readiness. Challenges Implementation capacity: Varies across States. Human resources: Shortage of trained epidemiologists, lab technicians, ICU staff. Maintenance: Sustainability post-2026 depends on State funding continuity. Urban-rural disparity: Urban AAM coverage still lower than target. Way Forward Institutionalize National Public Health Cadre under NHP 2017 vision. Expand Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP) for all 700+ districts. Leverage Digital Health Mission (ABDM) for telemedicine and data integration. Strengthen One Health and AMR surveillance through inter-ministerial coordination (MoHFW–MoA–MoEFCC). Periodic simulation exercises and pandemic drills across States. Conclusion PM-ABHIM (2021–26) represents India’s transition from a reactive to proactive health system, embedding pandemic readiness into national development planning. With ₹64,180 crore investment, integration across levels, and alignment with SDG-3 and WHO’s Pandemic Agreement (2025), it has redefined India’s approach to health security. As India moves toward Universal Health Coverage by 2030, PM-ABHIM remains the backbone of a resilient, inclusive, and self-reliant healthcare infrastructure. India’s Expanding Green Footprint Context Report Released: Global Forest Resources Assessment (GFRA) 2025 by FAO on 22 October 2025. FAO (UN Agency): Leads international efforts on food security and sustainable natural resource management, including forests. Significance: GFRA is the world’s most comprehensive official database on forest area, change, and carbon balance, based on national submissions. Relevance: GS-3 (Environment): Afforestation, carbon sequestration, and sustainable forest management. GS-3 (Climate Change): India’s contribution to global carbon sinks, NDC targets, and climate resilience. GS-2 (Governance): Community-based forest governance, JFMCs, and decentralised natural resource management. GS-1 (Geography): Distribution and trends in forest cover and land use change. Global Forest Scenario (GFRA 2025) Total Global Forest Area: ~4.14 billion hectares, covering 32% of Earth’s land area (~0.5 ha per person). Regional Distribution: Europe: 25% of global forests (largest area). South America: 49% of its land area under forests (highest proportion). Top 5 forest-rich nations: Russia, Brazil, Canada, USA, China (hold 54% of total global forests). Trend: Net forest loss declined from 10.7 million ha/year (1990–2000) to 4.12 million ha/year (2015–2025) → indicates global slowdown in deforestation. India’s Performance Rank in Total Forest Area: 9th globally (up from 10th in 2020). Rank in Net Annual Forest Area Gain: 3rd globally (maintained). Rank among Global Carbon Sinks: 5th — forests remove 150 million tonnes (Mt) of CO₂ per year (2021–25). India’s Forest Area: 72,739 thousand hectares (~72.7 million ha) → about 2% of global forest area. Share of Global Wood Removals: 9%, ranking 2nd globally (2023). Forest Category Classification (FAO Framework) Naturally Regenerating Forests: Native species regenerating without planting. Planted Forests: Plantation Forests: Managed for commercial species (e.g., rubber, eucalyptus). Other Planted Forests: Planted but not commercially managed. Primary Forests: Intact native forests, no human intervention. India’s Success in Planted Forests Bamboo Global Bamboo Area: 30.1 million ha. Asia: 21.2 million ha (70%). India: 11.8 million ha → largest in Asia after China. Increase (1990–2025): +8.05 million ha globally → driven by India & China. Rubber Global Rubber Plantations: 10.9 million ha. India: 831 thousand ha (0.831 million ha) → 5th globally. Agro-forestry Contribution Asia’s Agroforestry Area: ~39.3 million ha, almost entirely from India & Indonesia. Global Agroforestry: 55.4 million ha → India + Indonesia = 70% share. Significance: Enhances carbon sequestration, rural livelihoods, and climate resilience. Deforestation and net gains (1990–2025) India: Achieved net forest gain due to large-scale afforestation and reduced deforestation. Global Trend: Decline in deforestation rates + expansion in Asia and Europe. Drivers of India’s Net Gain: National Afforestation Programmes. Green India Mission. Community-based Joint Forest Management (JFMCs). Global Forest Carbon Sink Trends (2021–2025) Parameter Global Estimate (2021–2025) Forest carbon sequestration 3.6 Gt CO₂ per year Emissions from net forest conversion 2.8 Gt CO₂ per year Net global sink effect 0.8 Gt CO₂ per year (down from 1.4 Gt in 2011–15) Strongest regional sinks Europe (1.4 Gt), Asia (0.9 Gt) India’s Contribution Carbon removals: 150 Mt CO₂ per year (2021–25). Forest carbon sink rank: 5th globally. Emission reduction: Asia-wide deforestation emissions have declined significantly. India’s domestic forest status (ISFR 2023) Total Forest Cover: 7,15,343 sq. km = 21.76% of India’s geographical area. Tree Cover (outside recorded forest): 2.82%. Combined Forest + Tree Cover: ~24.62% of India’s area. Top States by Forest Area Rank State Forest Area (sq km) 1 Madhya Pradesh 77,073 2 Arunachal Pradesh 65,882 3 Chhattisgarh 55,812 Mangroves India’s total mangrove cover: 4,992 sq km. Key states: A&N Islands, Gujarat, Maharashtra, West Bengal. Protected Areas (2025) National Parks: 106 Wildlife Sanctuaries: 573 Conservation Reserves: 115 Community Reserves: 220 Govt. initiatives towards forest expansion (a) Budgetary Support (2025–26) MoEFCC Allocation: ₹3,412.82 crore (↑9% from ₹3,125.96 crore in 2024–25). Revenue Expenditure: ₹3,276.82 crore (96% of total). (b) National Mission for a Green India (GIM) Launch: February 2014 under NAPCC. Objectives: Expand 5 million ha of new forest/tree cover. Improve quality of 5 million ha of existing forests. Enhance carbon sinks & biodiversity. Improve livelihoods of ~3 million forest-dependent families. (c) National Afforestation Programme (NAP) Focus: Regeneration of degraded forests and adjoining areas. Implementation: State Forest Development Agency (SFDA) – State level. Forest Development Agency (FDA) – Division level. Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMCs) – Village level. (d) Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) Global Recognition: UN Environment Assembly adopted a resolution based on India’s Mission LiFE philosophy. Initiatives: MeriLiFE Portal – promotes sustainable actions. “Ek Ped Ma Ke Naam” – mass plantation campaign linking environment to emotion. Outcomes and Impact India’s Forest Cover (1990–2025): Continuous net positive growth. Carbon Sink Function: +150 Mt CO₂/year → vital for India’s NDC target of 2.5–3 Gt CO₂ equivalent carbon sink by 2030. Global Standing: 9th in total area, 3rd in net gain, 5th in carbon removals. Social Impact: Improved rural livelihoods via agroforestry and bamboo-based industries. Challenges Forest Degradation: Despite area gain, quality (canopy density) remains a concern — only dense forests form ~9.5% of area. Invasive Species: Lantana camara, Prosopis, etc., affecting biodiversity. Balancing Development & Conservation: Infrastructure projects encroaching into forest lands. Institutional Fragmentation: Overlaps among MoEFCC, State Forest Departments, and JFMCs. Way Forward Increase Quality Forests: Focus on natural regeneration and dense cover improvement. Expand Urban Forestry: Integrate under Smart Cities and AMRUT 2.0. Promote Bamboo & Agroforestry Industries: For carbon credits and green jobs. Leverage Carbon Markets: Use India’s forest carbon removals in international carbon trading. Digitize Forest Data: Integrate ISFR + GFRA + Forest Fire Alerts + LiFE Portal into one unified dashboard. Community Empowerment: Incentivize JFMCs and Eco-Development Committees through Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES). Conclusion India’s consistent rise in forest cover, carbon sink rank, and afforestation pace demonstrates a model of development aligned with ecological balance. With 72.7 million ha of forests, 9% of global wood removals, and 150 Mt CO₂ sequestration annually, India has emerged as a key contributor to global climate stability. Through policies like GIM, NAP, and Mission LiFE, India’s green growth aligns both with SDG-13 (Climate Action) and SDG-15 (Life on Land) — marking a decisive step toward carbon neutrality and environmental leadership by 2070.