FOREST POLICIESPOLICIES, REDD+ AND
SFM;; STATUS,, OPPORTUNITIESAND CHALLENGES IN INDIA
Prof N H Ravindranath
Indian Institute of ScienceO li off theOutline
h PPresentationi
Area under forests and deforestation trends in India andpressure on forests in India
2. Potential for REDD and Plus components in India
3. Major forest policies relevant to REDD+ in India
1.

• Afforestation, Reforestation and Community Forest programmesin India

SFM process in India; SFM criteria and indicators
adopted in India
5. Forest policies and implications for SFM and REDD
4.

•Two case studies; 1)Forest Conservation 2)Community forestry

Challenges in mainstreaming SFM in REDD+ and Forest
Management
7 Lessons from forest policies and programs for SFM &7.
REDD+ from India
6.

AAreaUnder
U d FForests
Forest distribution in India

Comparison of forest extent
with some other countries

PPressure
on fforests ini IIndia
diLow per capita forest area

1
1.
•High rural population density coupled with high dependence
on forests
ft ffor fuelwood,f ld timber,ti b grass, NWFP
High livestock population density and grazing pressure

2.
3.
•••8.

nearly 196,000 villages are in the forests or on the forest fringes

Forest fire prone

55.

7.

7 livestock p
per hectare of forest (about(400 million livestock))

High dependence of human population on forests

4.

6.

0.06 ha per capita or 1800 persons / sq km

53% of 67 Mha forest area exposed to forest fire

Invasive species covering all the open and degraded forests
Shifting cultivation in North East India
Legal conversion of forest land to infrastructure projects• 20,000
20 000 hha/annum/dduringiththe periodi d 2006
2006-20122012

Trends in Forest Area from State of Forest
Reports

AffAfforestationi trends
d in
i IIndiadi• India has been implementing a large afforestation programme

since 1980 under the social forestry programme• CurrentlyC
tl a numberb off afforestation
ff
t ti programmes are beingb i
implemented by the state governments with funding from
central and state governments,governments as well as multilateral andbilateral funding• Annually >1 Mha afforested under different

programmes since 1980.

D fDeforestationi trends
d iin IIndia
diForest Degradation in India; Net change
in area under different tree crown classes

PPotential
i l forf REDD?
• Significant scale forest loss based on decline inforest tree crown density below 10% is occurring• It is not clear how much of forest loss is leading toland use change• No estimates of REDD that meets the UNFCCC
definition• ForestFdegradation
dd i estimatesiare unclearl– OnlyO lforest tree crown density data is available• Forest degradation estimates are yet to be made• The potential of REDD is not yet assessed forIndia

SFM Process in India• Formally agreed at UNCED at Rio in 1992
• SFM Operationalizedpthroughg an agreedg
set of criteria and indicators(C&I) at national and forest management unit levels• to monitor, assess and report the sustainability of forests and forest management.

• In India the process of identification of SFM C&I was initiated under

FAO/ITTO/GOI project called ITTO initiative in 1999
• Since then the C&I have been identified and field validated• There are 8 criteria and 49 indicators.

• The National Working Plan Code 2004 mentions incorporation of SFM

C&I in Working Plans for monitoring and evaluation of SFM.
• A SFM cell has been created in MoEF in 2006
• NationalN til ForestFt Policy
P li 1988 doesdnott include
i l d an inbuilti b ilt mechanism
h i forf afeedback on forest management and forests• SFM C&I fill this gap in Indian scenario.

FAO andd India
I di SFM Criteria
Ci i
SFM - India
I di Criteria
C it iFAO SFM Key
K ThemesTh

Increase in the extent of forest and tree cover

Extent of forest resources

Maintenance, conservation and enhancement
Maintenanceof biodiversity

Biological diversity

Maintenance and enhancement of ecosystem
function and vitality

Forest health and vitality

Maintenance and enhancement of forest
resource and productivity

Productive functions of forest
resources

Optimisation of forest resource utilisation

Protective functions of forest
resources

Maintenance and enhancement of socialsocial,cultural and spiritual benefits

Socio-economicSocioeconomic functions

Adequacy of policy, legal and institutionalframework

Legal, policy and institutionalframework

Conservation of soil and water resources

SFM interventionsii– 2 llevelslIncorporation of SFM
Principles and Practices• Forest
Ft Management
Mt• PA Management• Afforestation &Reforestation• Community
Cit FForestryt• Commercial Forestry• REDD+REDD PProjectsj t

SFM C&I – Monitoring,Assessment and Reporting• Assessment
At andd Monitoring
M it iof adoption of SFM
Principles and Practices inF
ForestManagement
M• Certification of forests –based on SFM C&I• Meeting the UNFCCC
REDD+ ‘safeguards’• MRV off variousicomponents; ecological,
social and economicChallenges / Readiness for REDD in India• Lack of clarity
y on Definition of Degradation
gand Plus

Components• Since plus components are more relevant to India• Absence of Criteria for identification of land for REDD+

activity and potential• To assess the total potential of REDD+ activities• Criteria for identifying
y gp
potential locations for REDD+ activities• Presence of Enabling Forest Policies• India has progressive forest policies to meet the requirements ofUNFCCC REDD+• Capacity for MRV• India has the technical capability for MRV• Needs institutional arrangements for MRV process• Presence of Institution al capacity• Technical institutions exist for forest area and carbon monitoring• Need for strengthening the institutions and to build capacity atdecentralized level

REDD IInitiatives
ii iiin IIndiadi • Forest-PLUS
Ft PLUS• Attempting to integrate the REDD+ planning process with thegsetup
pJoint Forest Management• Attempting to develop a community based MRV system forREDD+ in India• Develop REDD+ projects compliant with the National Forest
Policy and C&I of SFM• Capacity building in modeling, MRV at national and subnational levels• Establishment of REDD+ Cell at the Ministry ofEnvironment and Forests• Consultative Committee on REDD+ at the MoEF
• National REDD+ Policy Guidelines prepared• Under approval process

Indian forest policies; Features and relevance to SFM
Forest Policies

Features

Relevance to SFM

ForestConservation
Act 1980



Regulates conversion of forest land to non‐forest purposes
Provides for compensatory afforestation in lieu of any forest
land diversion for non‐forest purposesNational Forest
Policy 1988










Maintaining environmental stability and restoring ecological balance
Preserving natural forests rich in biodiversity.
Checkingg soil erosion and denudation of catchment areas
Undertaking massive afforestation and social forestry programs
Fulfilling biomass requirements of rural population
Increasing productivity of forests
Encouraging sustainable use of forest resources
Community participation in forest management

 Meets all the7 criteriai i off
SFM

Joint Forest
Management1990

Management of forests by forest dept. in partnershipwith local people
Timber and nonnon‐timber
timber benefit sharing withcommunities



Extent of forest resources
Protective functions offorest resources



SSocio‐economicii
functions

Legal, policy andinstitutional framework
Conservation of biologicaldiversity

Wildlife ProtectionAct 1972 &National WildlifePlanNational
Biodiversity Act2002







Wildlife conservation
Ecosystem conservation as a foundation for long‐term ecological and economic
stability
Conservation of wild and endangered species and their habitatsConservation of biodiversity
Sustainable use of biological resources
Equity in sharing benefits from such use of resources






Conservation ofextent of naturalforest resources

Conservation of biologicaldiversity
Socio‐economic functions

Major forest programmes: Features and theirrelevance to SFM
ForestProgrammes

FeaturesGreeningIndia Mission Enhancing carbon sinks in sustainably managed
forests and other ecosystems
Enhancing resilience of vulnerable
species/ecosystems to changing climate,
E bli adaptation
Enabling
d t ti off forest‐dependant
ftd
d t
communities to climatic variabilityExtent of forest resources
Socio‐economic functions
Maintenance andenhancement of ecosystemf tifunctions

Develop forest resources with people’sparticipation, with focus on improvement inlivelihoods of forest‐fringe communities
Aims to accelerate ongoing process of devolving
forest protection, management anddevelopment functions to decentralized
institutions
In case of diversion of forest land to non‐forest
purposes – the user will identify land anddevelop forest and transfer it to forest dept. orpay the cost of afforestation (2 ha ofafforestation for every ha of forest converted)Extent of forest resources
Socio‐economicSocioeconomic functions
Legal and institutionalfunctionsExtent of forest resources–CClimatea e cchangea ge
Miti & Adaptation

National
Aff
Afforestationi
Programme(Social Forestry)Compensatory
Aff
AfforestationiRelevance to SFM

UNFCCC REDD+ pprovisions and linkage
g to SFMcriteria and Indian forest policies
Provisions of REDD+ under UNFCCC

SFM criteria

Indian forest policy

That actions complement or are consistent with theobjectives of national forest programmes and relevantinternational conventions and agreements

Covers multiple criteria,
criteria e.g.,egconservation of biodiversity,
maintenance of ecosystem,
socio‐economic functions,etc.
Legal, policy and institutionalframework• National Forest Policy• Joint Forest
Management

Transparent and effective national forest governance structures,
taking into account national legislation and sovereignty
Respect for the knowledge and rights of indigenous peoples and membersof local communities, by taking into account relevant international
obligations, national circumstances and laws, and noting that the United
Nations General Assembly has adopted the United Nations Declaration on
the Rights of Indigenous People
The full and effective participation of relevant stakeholders, in particularindigenous peoples and local communities, in REDD+ actions

Socio economic functions
Socio‐economic

That actions are consistent with the conservation of natural forests andbiological diversity, ensuring that REDD+ actions are not used for theconversion of natural forests, but are instead used to incentivize theprotection and conservation of natural forests and their ecosystemservices and to enhance other social and environmental benefits; taking
services,
into account the need for sustainable livelihoods of indigenous peoples andlocal communities and their interdependence on forests

Conservation of biodiversity,
biodiversity
ecosystem functions
Maintenance of forest
resource productivity
Socio economic functions
Socio‐economic

Socio‐economic functions
Legal, policy and institutionalframework• National Forest Policy• Joint ForestManagement• National Biodiversity
Act 2002• Forest Rights Act 2006

• National Forest Policy• Joint Forest
Management• ForestFtC
ConservationtiAct• Forest Rights Act 2006
• National Biodiversity
Act 2002• Wildlife Protection Act

UNFCCC provisions and Linkage with SFM criteria andIndian policies and programmes
Provisions of UNFCCC

SFM criteria

National policies & programmes

A national strategy or action plan

Increase the extent of forest cover
Conversion of biodiversity, ecosystemand socio-economic functions, etc.

• National Forest Policy• Greening India Mission

A robust and transparent national forest
monitoring system

Increase the extent of forest coverConservation of forest area

• Forest Conservation Act• State of Forest Report
Preparation

Address drivers of deforestation and forest
degradation, land tenure issues, forest
governance issues, gender considerations andthe safeguards

Socio-economic functions
Legal, policy and institutional framework
Forest resource utilization•••••

Ensure full and effective participation of relevant
stakeholders, inter alia indigenous peoples andlocal communities

Legal, policy and institutional framework
Socio-economic functions• Joint Forest Management• Forest Rights Act

Consistent with the objective of environmental
integrity and take into account the multiple
functions of forests and other ecosystems

Maintenance and enhancement ofecosystem function and vitality,
conservation of biodiversity• National Forest Policy• Greening India Mission

Accordance with national development priorities,
objectives
and circumstances and capabilities

Increase the extent of forest cover
Conversion of biodiversity, ecosystemand socio-economic functions, etc.

• National Forest Policy•

Be implemented in the context of sustainable
development and reducing poverty, while
responding
ditot climate
li t change
hMaintenance and enhancement ofecosystem function and vitality,
conservationti off biodiversity,bi diit socioi
economic functions• National Forest Policy• Greening India Mission• Greening India Mission

All SFM criteria• National Forest Policy

Be consistent with the adaptation needs of thecountry
Promote sustainable management of forests

Forest Conservation Act
National Forest Policy
Joint Forest Management
Forest Rights Act
Compensatory Afforestation

Institutional Case Study 1: Joint Forest Management (JFM)• JFM is an approach to promote conservation and regeneration ofdegraded forests by building a willing and active partnership betweenth statethet t ForestFt Department
Dtt andd local/indigenous
ll/i dicommunities.
iti• Village forest committees are formed to manage a given patch of forest

and in return communities get access to NWFPs and a share of timber
revenue• In 1990, the GoI issued an order facilitating participatory approach for

managing forests.
• Currently,Currently there are 274
274,134
134 JFM committees at the village level
level,involving 3,862,811 people in managing forests.

• Implications
pfor REDD• Institutional mechanism that safeguards rights of forest dependentcommunities• Framework for benefit sharing
g to ensure socio-economic benefit flow
• Promotes regeneration of degraded forests and conservation ofbiodiversity• which are the principles of SFM as well as REDD.

• JFM could be a decentralized institutional basis for implementing

REDD+ projects

Legislation Case Study 2: Forest Conservation Act• Forest Conservation Act, 1980 is one of the most effective

legislations, contributing to reduction in deforestation.
legislations
deforestation• The Act aims to reduce indiscriminate diversion of forest land
for non forestry purposes and regulate and maintain theexisting forest area.
• This Act stipulates prior Central Government approval based on

stringenttit conditions
diti
beforeb f
any forest
ft landl d isi sought
ht tot beb
diverted for non forestry purposes• With this Act,, the deforestation and conversion of forest lands

to non forest use were effectively checked• Rate of conversion of forests to non forestry uses has declined

drastically to around 15
15,500500 ha per annum since 1980 compared to
1,50,000 ha per annum prior to 1980

• Implications
pfor REDD• Highlights the need for an effective legislation for regulating

forest conversions and reducing deforestation

Lessons from Forest policies for REDD+ and SFM
1.

Strong Forest Conservation Act and Wildlife Act to promote REDD
• Leading to effectively reduce deforestation

2.

Long-termg“National Forest Policy”
y incorporating
pg forest conservation, community
yrights and ecosystem functions to promote ‘safeguards’ of REDD+ projects• Guiding all the forestry programmes and projects

3
3.

Greening India Mission incorporating – Mitigation & Adaptation• C-stock enhancement + promoting resilience of communities and ecosystems• Provides an approach and basis for designing and implementing REDD+ projects

4.

Large afforestation programmes to meet the community biomass needs and reducepressure on forests• Social forestry, National afforestation programme• Ensures REDD+ ‘safeguards’ and criteria of socio-economic functions of SFM is met

5.

Community participation and empowerment for decentralized forest management• Joint Forest Management / Community Forest Management institutions at the village level• Ensures rights of indigenous and local communities• To meet the ‘safeguards’ of REDD+ and for participatory monitoring

66.

Institutional capacity availability for MRV and development of Forest Reference Level
and Forest Reference Emission Level• Remote sensing based forest area and carbon stock monitoring on a biennial cycle