Increasing Carbon Sequestration and Conservation in India

India, with its growing economy and large population, faces a significant challenge in balancing development with environmental sustainability. One crucial aspect of this challenge is mitigating carbon emissions and sequestering carbon to combat climate change. Here are some key strategies gaining traction in India:

Enhancing Forest Cover:

• Afforestation and Reforestation: Planting trees on degraded lands and increasing forest cover across the country is a primary focus. India aims to achieve 33% forest cover by 2030, up from the current 24.3%.📷Opens in a new window📷www.slideshare.netAfforestation in India
• Mangrove Conservation: India boasts the fourth-largest mangrove cover globally, with these ecosystems being efficient carbon sinks. Protecting and restoring mangroves is crucial.📷Opens in a new window📷wildlifezones.comMangrove forest in India
• Agroforestry: Integrating trees into agricultural landscapes, like through practices like alley cropping and silvopastoral systems, enhances carbon sequestration alongside agricultural productivity.

Soil Carbon Sequestration:

• Conservation Tillage: Minimizing soil disturbance through no-till or reduced tillage practices helps retain organic matter and carbon in the soil.
• Cover Crops: Planting cover crops between main cash crops protects soil from erosion and adds organic matter when tilled back into the soil.
• Biochar Application: Pyrolyzed biomass like crop residues can be applied to soil as biochar, enhancing soil fertility and carbon storage.

Technological Solutions:

• Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS): Capturing CO2 emissions from industrial sources and storing them underground in geological formations is a promising technology, though still in its early stages in India.
• Bio-based Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU): Utilizing captured CO2 as a feedstock for producing biofuels and other products can potentially create a circular carbon economy.

Promoting Sustainable Agricultural Practices:

• Organic Farming: Transitioning to organic farming practices reduces reliance on synthetic fertilizers and promotes soil health, leading to increased carbon sequestration.
• Integrated Pest Management (IPM): Utilizing natural pest control methods instead of chemical pesticides minimizes environmental impact and promotes soil health.

Choosing the Right Crops for Carbon Sequestration:

The effectiveness of crops for carbon sequestration depends on various factors like soil type, climate, and agricultural practices. However, some promising options in India include:

• Trees: Native tree species like neem, banyan, and bamboo are fast-growing and efficient carbon sinks.
• Grasses: Vetiver grass and Napier grass have deep root systems that store significant amounts of carbon belowground.
• Legumes: Crops like lentils, chickpeas, and beans fix atmospheric nitrogen into the soil, enhancing soil organic matter and carbon sequestration.
• Millets: Millets like bajra and jowar have lower water requirements and higher carbon sequestration potential compared to some traditional rice varieties.

Remember: While specific crops can play a role, a holistic approach encompassing diverse strategies is crucial for maximizing carbon sequestration and conservation in India.

By implementing these strategies and promoting sustainable practices, India can significantly increase its carbon sequestration capacity and contribute to mitigating climate change while ensuring food security and rural livelihoods.

Dr Murtadha Shukur thank you for your contribution to discussion

Carbon sequestration is the process of capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide. It is one method of reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere with the goal of reducing global climate change. The USGS is conducting assessments on two major types of carbon sequestration: geologic and biologic. Carbon Conservation's (CC) mission is to save large areas of threatened tropical forests using carbon finance with speed and integrity. CC is an established global leader in Avoided Deforestation (AD) voluntary carbon credit creation and financing. Carbon removal occurs after the emitted carbon has already entered our atmosphere. Carbon sequestration is the storage of removed or captured carbon in various environmental reservoirs. Both are tools in our sustainability toolbox that can be used to reduce carbon emissions and mitigate climate change. Crops like lentils, chickpeas, and beans fix atmospheric nitrogen into the soil, enhancing soil organic matter and carbon sequestration. Millets: Millets like bajra and jowar have lower water requirements and higher carbon sequestration potential compared to some traditional rice varieties. Woody perennial crops such as fruits and nuts are powerful sequesterers of carbon, with most rated medium to very high. Bamboos sequester carbon at high to extremely high rates. Coppiced woody plants have low to very high rates. Soil carbon stocks in woody biomass systems are large at an estimated 140 tons/ha. The Teak Tree, which has the highest carbon sequestration capacity of trees in India. The Yellow Poplar, which can grow under rough conditions. The Silver Maple has a very high absorption capability. The live oak is the most efficient carbon capturing tree, it being able to sequester some 10,994 CO2 equivalents over its lifetime. Ranking second is the East Palatka holly, with a lifelong carbon fixation of 7,321 CO2 equivalents. CCS projects typically target 90 percent efficiency, meaning that 90 percent of the carbon dioxide from the power plant will be captured and stored.