Papers by Ashish Aggarwal
'Forests' in India remain defined by their dictionary meaning as guided by the Supreme Court in G... more 'Forests' in India remain defined by their dictionary meaning as guided by the Supreme Court in Godavarman case in 1996. Oxford dictionary defines forest as 'a large area covered chiefly with trees and undergrowth'. There are many other similar articulations which do not consider legal or ownership status making it applicable to all types of land with vegetation. Its Implications are far reaching as this brings all such lands under the purview of Indian Forest Act of1927, which regulates the use and harvest of trees. It has discouraged farmers and other stakeholders to plant trees on their private and community lands. Government of India constituted Subramanian committee in 2014 to review six important Acts related to air, water, forests, wildlife and environment of the country. This committee came up with several suggestions to streamline the implementation process and make these Acts effective. One of the most debated recommendations pertained to the redefinition of forests in the country. This committee suggested excluding plantations on private lands from the definition of forests and recommended denotifying plantation areas on public lands such as road side, canal side etc. for developmental activities. A section of the civil society has criticized the report on account of its non participatory approach and its recommendations. These stakeholders argue that redefining forests will lead to an adverse impact on forest and tree cover in the
Medicinal plants are widely used in India for various livelihood and health benefits. But there i... more Medicinal plants are widely used in India for various livelihood and health benefits. But there is lack of awareness and research on their carbon sequestration and economical potential, which constrains their use in various ongoing carbon forestry schemes precluding farmers from potential carbon revenue opportunities . The present study contributes to fulfill this knowledge gap by assessing the carbon sequestration and economic potential of three extensively used medicinal tree species of Emblica officinalis Amla), Terminalia belerica (Bahera) and Terminalia chebula (Harar) in the state of Sikkim with the help of Project Based Comprehensive Mitigation Assessment Process (PROCOMAP) model. The findings of this research suggest that the selected species of Amla, Bahera and Harar have significant carbon sequestration rates of 1, 2.64 and 1.42 tCha-1 yr-1, which could generate Indian National Rupees (INR) 844, 1198 and 2228ha-1yr-1 respectively from carbon revenues in a $5/tCO2 scenario through various ongoing carbon forestry schemes.Accepted Author Version. Not yet edited or proofed. Please see disclaimer on the article abstract page.
Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change
This paper analyses social, economic and ecological issues affecting sustainability of the four s... more This paper analyses social, economic and ecological issues affecting sustainability of the four selected forestry clean development mechanism (CDM) projects from India. Data from the group discussions and stakeholder interviews suggest that three out of the four projects are economically unsustainable for local people because of high opportunity cost of land and labour, and delayed and low benefits. The average opportunity cost of the land is 20000, 12000 and 9000 INR/ha/year in case of Haryana,
Himachal Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, India projects respectively, which is unlikely to be met through projected carbon revenues and other benefits. A significant number of farmers have already withdrawn their private lands in Haryana and Tamil Nadu projects. Very few of them have undertaken plantations on the private lands in the Himachal project. All the four projects have undertaken block plantations of predominantly fast growing species such as Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus hybrid), Casuarina (Casuarina equisettifolia) and Ailanthus (Ailanthus excelsa) for high growth and quick returns, which could have adverse social and ecological impacts over long term. There are social and institutional issues such as low participation of local communities, weak or non existing community institutions, inflexible design and rigid CDM rules, which affect sustainability of these projects. It has implications for other carbon forestry programmes such as Green India Mission and Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD+) being rolled out at a large scale in the country. The rationale and significance of these programmes needs to be objectively reexamined in context of the issues affecting CDM projects.
Forest resources: degradation, livelihoods, and climate change 91 • Twenty-three per cent of Indi... more Forest resources: degradation, livelihoods, and climate change 91 • Twenty-three per cent of India's land is under forest and tree cover. However, over 40% of the forests are degraded. This is due to the degradation of dense forests to open forests and low productivity of Indian forests as compared to global standards. • The forests of India face enormous pressure because of the growing demand for fuel and fodder as well as for competing uses of forest land. • From time immemorial, forests in India have been the habitat of diverse tribal and other forestdwelling communities. About 275 million rural people, constituting 27% of India's population, continue to depend on forests for at least part of their livelihoods.
Despite the rapid development of REDD+, in terms of policy and on ground, there is little empiric... more Despite the rapid development of REDD+, in terms of policy and on ground, there is little empirical evidence on how REDD+ interacts with existing governance mechanisms and impacts people's rights. Implementation of the Forest Rights Act, 2006 (FRA) in India provides an interesting insight into this interaction. Peoples' rights over forest resources are being recognized under FRA in a comprehensive manner for the first time in independent India. Although a number of challenges of implementation are yet to be addressed, it has started changing the forest landscape of the country by redefining the relationship between the state and the people with regard to the use and management of forest resources. Close to 1.169 million claims for individual and community rights, covering about 3% of the forest area of the country, have been recognized up to 30 April 2011. People are expected to have much more control over the resources if FRA is implemented in its true spirit. While FRA is being implemented, the Government of India wants to leverage its forest conservation record in international climate change negotiations through REDD+. India considers REDD+ to be a bargaining chip in the negotiations. Civil society groups, however, are strongly contesting this instrument, as they fear REDD+ might provide an opportunity to the government to scuttle implementation of FRA. This contestation or politics of REDD+ is being negotiated and renegotiated continuously, where different stakeholders are guarding their own interests. This case provides some early indications of contestations, which REDD+ is going to evoke at the country level.
for COP15 (2009) as a deliverable for project titled 'Developing country participation in address... more for COP15 (2009) as a deliverable for project titled 'Developing country participation in addressing climate change -analysing issues and options for India'. The project is supported by The Royal Norwegian Embassy in India and coordinated by TERI.
International journal of …, Jan 1, 2006
Rajasthan is one of the largest Indian states with about 9% of its total geographical area covere... more Rajasthan is one of the largest Indian states with about 9% of its total geographical area covered with forest. Large Area of the state is covered with desert, has one of the highest livestock populations and therefore has severe shortage of biomass for local use. The community forestry initiative in this state has resulted in significant regeneration, enhanced biomass and enhanced tree cover in the villages indicating large potential for community initiatives. Species diversity, stem density and species richness have increased in plantations and natural forests under community forestry indicating that community is keen on managing the forest resources. The study indicates that there is potential to cover more villages under JFM to enhance forest cover, stem density and diversity of tree species.
Watershed management and sustainable …, Jan 1, 2005
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Papers by Ashish Aggarwal
Himachal Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, India projects respectively, which is unlikely to be met through projected carbon revenues and other benefits. A significant number of farmers have already withdrawn their private lands in Haryana and Tamil Nadu projects. Very few of them have undertaken plantations on the private lands in the Himachal project. All the four projects have undertaken block plantations of predominantly fast growing species such as Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus hybrid), Casuarina (Casuarina equisettifolia) and Ailanthus (Ailanthus excelsa) for high growth and quick returns, which could have adverse social and ecological impacts over long term. There are social and institutional issues such as low participation of local communities, weak or non existing community institutions, inflexible design and rigid CDM rules, which affect sustainability of these projects. It has implications for other carbon forestry programmes such as Green India Mission and Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD+) being rolled out at a large scale in the country. The rationale and significance of these programmes needs to be objectively reexamined in context of the issues affecting CDM projects.
Himachal Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, India projects respectively, which is unlikely to be met through projected carbon revenues and other benefits. A significant number of farmers have already withdrawn their private lands in Haryana and Tamil Nadu projects. Very few of them have undertaken plantations on the private lands in the Himachal project. All the four projects have undertaken block plantations of predominantly fast growing species such as Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus hybrid), Casuarina (Casuarina equisettifolia) and Ailanthus (Ailanthus excelsa) for high growth and quick returns, which could have adverse social and ecological impacts over long term. There are social and institutional issues such as low participation of local communities, weak or non existing community institutions, inflexible design and rigid CDM rules, which affect sustainability of these projects. It has implications for other carbon forestry programmes such as Green India Mission and Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD+) being rolled out at a large scale in the country. The rationale and significance of these programmes needs to be objectively reexamined in context of the issues affecting CDM projects.