The National REDD+ Strategy of India provides a national framework to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, conserve and enhance forest carbon stocks, and promote sustainable forest management. Its objectives are to integrate REDD+ into national development planning, align with India’s commitments under the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement, and contribute to the creation of an additional carbon sink of 2.5–3 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalent by 2030. The Strategy emphasizes the role of forests in climate mitigation, biodiversity conservation, ecosystem services, and rural development, particularly for forest-dependent and Indigenous communities. The document outlines India’s forest resources and their contribution to carbon sequestration, noting constitutional provisions and national policies such as the National Forest Policy, Green India Mission, and National Action Plan on Climate Change. It highlights India’s progress in turning its forestry sector into a net carbon sink and sets a long-term target of increasing forest and tree cover to 33 percent of the national territory. Key measures include afforestation and reforestation programmes, joint forest management, biodiversity conservation, watershed protection, and regulation of forest land diversion. The Strategy also calls for strengthening institutional arrangements for measurement, reporting and verification (MRV) of carbon stocks, and establishing a Safeguard Information System (SIS) to protect the rights of Indigenous Peoples and forest-dependent communities. Mechanisms for equitable benefit-sharing and mobilization of results-based finance are also identified. Implementation provisions include the establishment of a National Designated Entity for REDD+ (NDE-REDD+), coordination across central and state forest departments, and capacity building. The Strategy integrates existing programmes such as the Compensatory Afforestation Fund, National Afforestation Programme, and agroforestry initiatives. Annexes provide details on land categories eligible for REDD+, modes of carbon benefits, and institutional composition. By aligning with international REDD+ agreements, India positions itself to access global climate finance while contributing to national development goals.
India · 2018-06-07