Introduction: National REDD+ Strategy:
United
Nation's Programme, Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation 0r
(UN-REDD programme) is a collaborative programme of the Food and Agriculture
Organization of the United Nations. The United Nations Development Programme
(UNDP) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), created in 2008 in
response of the UNFCC decisions on the Bali action plan and REDD+, a voluntary
climate change mitigation approach that has been developed by Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention
on Climate Change.
REDD+
means “Reducing Emission 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. It has been
prepared by Indian council of forestry research & education Dehradun.
It is
one of the most important tools to give best additional efforts from India’s commitment
to 2015 Paris Agreement. It will also support empowerment of youth cadres as
community foresters to lead charge at local level. Under it, Green skill
development programme will be launched to give youth special skill in the field
of forestry.
Historical background
The idea
of REDD+ to take the action against deforestation had been called in Paris agreement
on climate change for all the developing nations. It recognised the role of
forests in climate change. India has committed to capture 2.5 to 3 billion
tonnes of carbon dioxide CO2 through additional efforts in forestry sector. India’s
first biennial update report to UNFCCC has revealed that forests in India
capture about 12% of India’s total green house gas emission. Thus, forestry
sector in India is making positive cost-effective contribution for climate
change mitigation.
Eligible Activities
The decisions
on REDD+ specify five “eligible activities” that developing countries may
implement to reduce emissions and enhance removals of greenhouse gases--
1 – Reducing
emissions from deforestation.
2 - Reducing
emissions from forest degradation.
3-
Conservation management of forests
4- Enhancement
of forest carbon stocks.
Concerns
Since
the first discussion on REDD+ in 2005, COP -13 in 2007, and COP-15
in 2009, many concerns have been voiced by various aspects of REDD+. Full scale implementation
can be challenging for the developing nations. As these have to grow economically while addressing the concerns related to climate.
The REDD+ approach link
to vast populated countries which are facing several problems like – pollution,
unemployment, hunger, poverty etc. It will increase the participation of forest community and indigenous people. It will also include indigenous people's participation in implementing and monitoring the designs without higher technologies. The crucial concern remains related to funds and the working of the countries in a way that benefits are distributed equally among all those who manage the forest.
A way forward
National
REDD+ strategy can be helpful for India to fulfil its nationally determined
contribution commitments and will also contribute to livelihood of forest
dependent population. It will help to enhance efforts for forest conservation
and enhance productivity of forest eco-systems. Tribal and other forest dwelling
people will play important role as forest are well known by them. To make this
strategy successful government should chose responsible public servant and hire
expert team to monitoring activities with advanced technology.
