India commited to REDD "+" mechanism - Oslo Climate and Forest Conference 27th May 2010

[Samraj Sahay]

India strongly put forward its commitment to take forward the REDD "+" mechanism at the Oslo Climate and Forest Conference held on 27th May 2010. (“REDD+”, a holistic approach for incentivizing actions to reduce emissions worldwide from forests goes beyond deforestation and forest degradation, and includes
the role of conservation, sustainable management of forests and
enhancement of forest carbon stocks).

In the back drop of the Green India Mission and other initiatives already taken, India becomes an ideal candidate for seeking incentives from the REDD fund. Some of the fact about India's initiative related to forestry are:
1. ~70 million hectare of India’s area is under Forest Cover:
2. ~3mn hectares of forest cover added over last decade
3. 138 million tons of CO2e is sequestered every year by India’s forest and tree cover.
4. 200 million people dependent on forests for livelihood
5. National REDD plus coordinating agency will be established in India.
6. Technical group to develop methodologies and procedures for assessment and monitoring of REDD plus actions already set up.
7. Study on the impact of climate change on our forests by The Indian Network for Climate Change Assessment will be released in November 2010.

http://moef.nic.in/downloads/public-information/OsloREDDConference.pdf

http://moef.nic.in/downloads/public-information/OSLO_Conference.pdf

[S.P.ANANDAN]

It is nice to read that National REDD plus coordinating agency will be established in India. We are at a crucial stage and are encountering several challenges to combat climate change. Carbon sequestration has become a hot topic today considering the REDD. We are all supposed to save our environment being an 'environmental professional' as pointed out by Prakash Kashwan. Our ancient forests like Shola forests are fast disappearing due to anthropogenic pressures and invasive alien species. It is not only the responsibility of the Government but also the voluntary organizations who can act as 'environmental managers'. Let us join hands to protect our forest ecosystems and mountain biodiversity.

[Prakash Kashwan]

Dear Sanjay,
Thanks for posting this. I would like to point out that it is important to critically analyze these things for their impact on forest dwellers, and even, the goals of forest and ecosystem conservation. I would think that critical analysis rather than looking at everything as an 'opportunity' is an important part of being an 'environmental professional'. Otherwise we may as well call ourselves as 'environmental business people'!
Bests,
Prakash