Forest Carbon Management in India: a Framework of Policies and Trade Strategies

Forests are at once both the single most important source and the sink of carbon dioxide. Forest Carbon Management implies managing forests sustainably for increased carbon sequestration, longer storage and reduced release of carbon dioxide, and efficient transfer of carbon benefits to the stakeholders, consistent with the requirements of biodiversity conservation and the protection of the rights of the indigenous people. It can become reality only with enabling national and provincial policies. The framework for policies and trade strategies proposed in this book would help fulfil obligations under the UNFCCC, lead to significant increase in public and private investment in tree growing, make the rights of tribal and other communities on forests economically meaningful and contribute to the conservation and sustainable use of bio-diversity while ensuring the international credibility of India's carbon sequestration and storage certification process.