Forest Landscape Restoration (FLR) aims at regaining ecological functionality and enhancing human well-being in deforested or degraded forest landscapes. This approach goes beyond simply planting trees; it involves restoring the entire landscape to meet present and future needs of people and entire ecosystems, and to offer multiple economic, ecological, and social benefits and land uses over time. FLR addresses climate change, conserves biodiversity, and supports sustainable development. It rebuilds ecosystems, improves water resources, enhances soil fertility, and creates sustainable, climate adapted livelihoods for communities.

India's forests provide livelihoods for more than 300 million people, are home to 80% of the country's terrestrial biodiversity, and play an important role as a carbon sink. India’s National Forest Policy sets a goal for one third of its total area to be under forest or tree cover, and two thirds in hilly and mountainous regions like Uttarakhand or Himachal Pradesh. Under India's national climate goals, expanding or restoring 26 million hectares of forest by 2030 is a critical target. Forest initiatives are integrated into programmes like the National Mission for Clean Ganga, the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, and the Green India Mission.

India and Germany are committed to the Bonn Challenge, a global goal to restore 350 million hectares of degraded land by 2030. This initiative is part of the broader United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, which seeks to rebuild the relationship between humans and nature and increase the area of healthy ecosystems.

Throughout Indo-German cooperation on FLR, the GSDP emphasises innovative models in forestry and urban greening, including urban forestry, afforestation, agroforestry, and the promotion of trees outside forests in urban areas. The collaboration also focuses on conserving wetlands and restoring wastelands, which protect biodiversity and provide essential ecosystem services.

India and Germany's joint efforts aim to reduce poverty, improve water availability, and enhance climate resilience. By fostering inclusive and participatory approaches, the partnership seeks to provide socio-economic benefits for forest-dependent communities. Additionally, the two countries plan to mobilise financial resources, develop multi-stakeholder partnerships, and facilitate knowledge exchange on further ambitious policies and measures.

FLR is closely linked to several SDGs, particularly SDG 15 (Life on Land) through the restoration and sustainable management of forests. It also contributes significantly to SDG 13 (Climate Action) by enhancing carbon sequestration and resilience to climate impacts, and SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) by improving water cycles and quality. Additionally, FLR supports SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) by boosting food security through improved soil health and agroforestry, and SDG 1 (No Poverty) by creating jobs and increasing land productivity.