Discussion Paper on Roadmap for Achieving Additional 2.5-3 Billion Tonnes CO2e Sequestration from Forestry Sector by 2030

In India, forests are considered as social and environmental resource primarily and more than 275 million people are deriving their full or partial livelihood and sustenance needs. India has stabilized its forest and tree cover but quality of forests is degrading due to unsustainable harvest of fuelwood and other minor forest produce. The Government of India has communicated to UNFCCC to achieve voluntarily additional 2.5-3 billion tonnes of CO2e by 2030 from forestry sector on October 2, 2015 and further ratified on October 2, 2016. India's mandate of high economic growth, Make in India, house for all, electricity for all, and 1.5 billion population by 2030 will also impact the quality of forests. India has potential to sequester 3 billion tonnes of CO2e adopting conservation approach with conversion of open forests into moderately dense forests and afforestation of additional 5 million ha. This effort will require `100,000 cr per annum till 2030 along with institutional and policy reforms such as capacity building of frontline staff and forestdependent community, involvement of private entrepreneur for improving the quality of forests, filling the vacancies of frontline staff, community-based forest governance, investment on research and development, creation of National Market for Carbon trading, and carbon neutrality for Corporate/Industry Sector.