Ranchi: Jharkhand has begun exploring a state-specific road map under the global REDD+ framework to access results-based climate finance while strengthening forest conservation, biodiversity protection and community livelihoods.The proposal was discussed at a high-level meeting chaired by principal chief conservator of forests Sanjiv Kumar on Wednesday. Senior forest officials, researchers and experts attended the meeting.Jharkhand has 23,765.78 sq km of forest cover, accounting for 29.81% of its geographical area. Its forests are estimated to store 186.43 million tonnes of carbon, giving the state significant potential to develop a REDD+ programme focused on forest protection, carbon conservation, ecological restoration and livelihood generation.Kumar said the proposed initiative would aim to reduce deforestation and forest degradation, conserve carbon-rich sal forests and wildlife habitats, promote sustainable forest management, and restore degraded landscapes through natural regeneration and bamboo-based plantations.However, the programme faces several challenges, including the need to establish credible carbon baselines, develop robust monitoring systems, create transparent benefit-sharing mechanisms and safeguard community rights under the Forest Rights Act and the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act or PESA.Kumar said community rights, participation and benefit-sharing mechanisms must be incorporated from the planning stage to ensure that REDD+ interventions are socially legitimate and sustainable. He added that the programme should recognise the rights and customary dependence of forest-dwelling communities under applicable laws and policies.
