Forest Conservation, Afforestation and Reforestation in India: Implications for Forest Carbon Stocks

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This article presents an assessment of the implications of past and current forest conservation and regeneration policies and programmes for forest carbon sinks in India.

Conclusions & Takeaways

The carbon stock in existing forests is projected to be nearly stable over the next 25 year period at 8.79 gigatons carbon (GtC). If the current rate of afforestation and reforestation continues, the authors estimate a nearly 11% increase in the carbon stock from 8.79 gigatons carbon (GtC) in 2006 to 9.75 gigatons carbon (GtC) by 2030. The factors contributing to the current and projected trends of stable or increasing carbon stocks in the forests include: progressive and effective forest conservation legislations, afforestation and reforestation programmes, and community participation in forest protection, regeneration and management.