India's Forest and Tree Cover
India's current forest and tree cover stands at 25.17%, which is below the 33% target outlined by the National Forest Policy of 1988. This deficiency has severe implications due to ongoing deforestation, urbanization, and industrial emissions that degrade ecosystems.
Importance of Tree Plantations and Carbon Sequestration
- Tree plantations act as natural carbon sinks, absorbing CO₂ and helping to mitigate climate change.
- Enhanced tree cover improves soil health, water retention, soil erosion prevention, and resilience against extreme weather.
Policies and Initiatives
- National Agroforestry Policy (2014) and Trees Outside Forests in India Program encourage private sector participation in tree planting.
- Green India Mission aims to revive degraded forests, increasing forest cover by 0.56% from 2017 to 2021.
Corporate Involvement and International Regulations
- Companies invest in afforestation to offset emissions and integrate sustainability into operations.
- Stringent international regulations, like the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, push Indian industries toward carbon offset projects for competitiveness.
Economic and Social Benefits of Afforestation
- Large-scale afforestation creates jobs, especially in rural areas, and supports agroforestry.
- Agroforestry increases farm incomes by 20-30%, as reported by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research.
Challenges in Large-Scale Tree Plantation
- Rising costs of carbon credits make afforestation a cost-effective alternative.
- India needs a robust carbon trading policy and a regulatory framework to leverage global carbon markets.
As India aims for net-zero emissions by 2070, tree plantations and carbon sequestration are crucial components of the national sustainability strategy.
