Carbon Sequestration and Economic Potential of the Selected Medicinal Tree Species: Evidence From Sikkim, India

Medicinal plants are widely used in India for various livelihood and health benefits. However, there is a 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 seeks to fill 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 the 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 tC ha^-1 yr^-1, which could generate Indian National Rupees (INR) 844, 1,198, and 2,228 ha^-1 yr^-1, respectively from carbon revenues in a $5/tCO₂ scenario through various ongoing carbon forestry schemes.