Reiterating India’s commitment to Paris Agreement on Climate Change, Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Dr. Harsh Vardhan has emphasised that the cooperation and involvement of the tribals,  other forest dwelling people and  the society as a whole, is crucial for the implementation of the REDD+ strategy.  Speaking at the release of ‘National REDD+ Strategy India’ here today, Dr. Vardhan also underlined the importance of new innovations and ideas.  The Minister stated that the well-being of our forests is essential for a healthy living environment in the country. The Minister further emphasised that REDD+ activities will help in sustainable livelihood of local communities and also in conservation of biodiversity.  

Appreciating the work of Expert Committee members, Dr. Vardhan invited experts & all others to contribute to the implementation of the National REDD+ Strategy.  He also acknowledged the efforts put in for coordinating the preparation of this document. The Minister stated that India’s National REDD+ strategy is one of the tools to achieve   India’s commitment to Paris Agreement.  

Speaking on the occasion, DGF & Special Secretary highlighted that REDD+ strategy will help the country to fulfill its NDC commitments and will also contribute to the livelihood of the forest dependent population.,  Director General of Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE), Dr. Gairola, pointed out that a National Governing Council of REDD+ chaired by the Union Environment Minister at  the national level and two technical committees, headed by DG, Forest Survey of India and DG, ICFRE are being established for supporting the REDD+ implementation in the country.   Dr. Gairola also underlined the need to enhance efforts for forest conservation and enhance productivity of forest eco-systems. He also informed that the REDD+ actions at the State level will be coordinated by the committee headed by the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) & Head of Forest Force (HOFF) of the States.

In simple terms, REDD+ means “Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation”, conservation of forest carbon stocks, sustainable management of forests, and enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countries.   REDD+ aims to achieve climate change mitigation by incentivizing forest conservation.    The strategy seeks to address drivers of deforestation and forest degradation and also developing a roadmap for enhancement of forest carbon stocks and achieving sustainable management of forests through REDD+ actions. The National REDD+ Strategy will soon be communicated to the UNFCCC.

Paris agreement on climate change also recognizes role of forests in climate change mitigation and calls upon country Parties to take action to implement and support REDD+.   India has communicated in its Nationally Determined Contribution under Paris Agreement, that it will capture 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of Carbon dioxide through additional forest and tree cover by 2030.   India’s first biennial update report to UNFCCC has revealed that forests in India capture about 12% of India’s total GHG emissions. Thus, forestry sector in India is making a positive cost effective contribution for climate change mitigation.

Complying with the UNFCCC decisions on REDD+, India has prepared its National REDD+ Strategy. The Strategy builds upon existing national circumstances which have been updated in line with India’s National Action Plan on Climate Change, Green India Mission and India’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to UNFCCC.

Director General, Forest and Special Secretary, Dr Siddhanta Das, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri A.K Mehta Additional Secretary, MoEF&CC, and other senior officers of MoEF&CC were among those present on the occasion.

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HK