‘India can achieve 30% forest cover by promoting agro-forestry’

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New Delhi, Nov 17: The International Centre for Research in Agro-forestry (ICRAF) has suggested that India can achieve its goal of 30% forest cover by promoting agro-forestry in a big way. It has lauded India’s effort in maintaining its natural forests and promotion of watershed programme.

Speaking to FE, ICRAF director-general, Dennis P Garrity said : “India has maintained its natural forests, but there is a need to increase its forest cover to 30%. This can be done if agro-forestry is promoted on a largescale.” Agro-forestry includes plantation of cash crop trees like coffee, rubber and also trees for timber and fodder. ICRAF , which is engaged in promotion of agro-forestry, is one of the 15 affiliated institutes of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR).

Garrity said that India had a long history of agro-forestry and maintaining natural. Some of the country’s natural forests were destroyed over the time due to urbanisation and setting up of projects and as a result the forest cover were reduced. He said that 20% of the world’s concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere was due to deforestation. With a view to effectively combat climate change afforestation and maintenance of forests was necessary, he said

He said that more commercial timber should be grown in India as this would result in expansion of forest area and it would also reduce the country’s import bill for timber. Bamboo, he said should also be grown on a commercial scale as it would meet the needs of poor people for building houses. Canes and bamboos can also be used for making furniture and handicrafts which can boost country’s export earnings. He urged India to help Kenya to utilize its bamboo resources.

Garrity said that Reducing Emissions From Deforestation and Degradation (REDD) programme initiated at the 13th Conference of Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Bali last was only a statement of intent.

“Much needs to be done to negotiate a proper mechanism for monitoring and implementation and with binding commitments. Hopefully the world leaders would put in place a proper mechanism at the next conference scheduled in Copenhagen," he said. REDD aims to compensate the developing countries in the tropical region to maintain their forests and discourages deforestation. It allows developing countries to sell carbon offsets to rich countries in return for not burning their tropical forests from 2013.