By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Oct 27: The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) is collaborating with the state government and the Netherlands-based IORA-ACORN to implement the Agro Forestry Carbon Finance Project.
The KHADC is looking to take advantage of the global carbon credit market and generate additional rural income through this project.
The council, led by Chief Executive Member Pyniaid Sing Syiem, on Friday held detailed deliberations with the officials of Forest and Environment department and representatives of IORA-ACORN on the proposed project for the protection of forest areas and the generation of revenue from various forest produce.
Following the meeting, Syiem told reporters they have formed a special committee, headed by Executive Member in-charge of Forest department Macdalyne Mawlong, to oversee the implementation of the project.
The other members include Chief Forest Officer and Deputy Chief Forest Officer of the Council besides Executive Director of Meghalaya Basin Development Authority and representatives from the Centre of Excellence.
Syiem said the committee will work on various components of the project and place its observations before the Executive Committee.
“We are confident that this project will be successful. But the first step will be to work out the minute details and prepare a comprehensive plan on how they are going to move forward,” he said.
He expressed happiness that they will be able to protect the forest areas with this project. According to him, the council will also try to bring sustainable livelihood to farmers by taking advantage of the carbon credit market.
Stating that the Netherlands-based agency is engaged in over 150 Agro Forestry Carbon Finance Projects in India, Syiem said the state government has already launched the Payment for Ecosystem Services Scheme. It provides benefits through financial support of Rs 8,000 per hectare per year for five years, he said.
Under this scheme, an additional reward amount of Rs 5,000 per hectare per year will also be given to those natural forests registered as community reserves with the Forest Department and Rs 2,000 per hectare per year to those with a very dense forest or traditionally recognized as Law Kyntang (sacred groves).
According to Syiem, IORA-ACORN will help sell carbon credits outside the country if the farmers within the council’s jurisdiction are able to secure the same through agro forestry.
The council has some 12 forest plantations whose total area is around 1,000 hectares. The total forest cover will be around 70 per cent of the total areas, he said.
“We are aware that the 54 Himas under the council’s jurisdiction have at least one Law Kyntang each. Not only this, we also have community forests in many villages. We already have a system in place and what is required is to educate people on how carbon credits can be secured through agro forestry,” he said.