India launches new national REDD+ policy to protect forests
New draft national policy to reduce emissions from deforestation announced on Monday in a move that demonstrates the country’s commitment to the UN’s climate framework.
India released a draft national policy to reduce emissions from deforestation on Monday in a move that demonstrates the country’s commitment to the UN’s climate framework.
The policy will enable local communities to get financial incentives for increasing forest cover.
India’s new initiative is part of the global ‘Reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation’ (REDD+) mechanism, linking deforestation, degradation, conservation of forest carbon stocks and sustainable management of forests with reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
Under the mechanism, developing countries can receive compensation for their efforts to increase forest cover.
The UK, Norway and U.S, the only countries that have pledged money towards project so far, have committed US$280 million.
Estimates suggest that deforestation accounts for around 20 per cent of global carbon dioxide emissions and the REDD+ initiative is seen as crucial in limiting this.
India intends to make the country REDD+ ready by creating a “national-level authority” and setting up “supportive institutions” within the next three years.
The Ministry of Environment & Forests (MoEF) made the announcement on Monday and suggestions from stakeholders and experts will now be sought.
An MoEF statement said: “Based on the comments of the stakeholders, the draft document will be finalised.”
According to the ministry, the objectives of the new policy are to develop forest areas, safeguard rights and interests of local communities and to strengthen coordination among sectors and stakeholders that impact on land use and forestry.
“The objective is also to develop an appropriate mechanism for channelling REDD+ funding and transferring the accrued financial benefits to the communities in a fair, equitable and transparent manner”, the ministry said.
The ministry also outlined how the present level of forest cover in India, which currently stands at 69.20 million hectares, mitigates 11 per cent of the country’s GHG emissions.
According to the Global Forest Resource Assessment (GFRA), India is placed 10th position in terms of forest area in the world forests cover around 21 per cent of the country.
