Karnataka Launches Pilot Project to Generate Carbon Credits Through Biomass Management and Border Tree Plantations

The Karnataka government has launched a pilot project to generate carbon credits through biomass management and border tree plantations in the state's mango-growing districts. The project, launched by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) Consultancy Services, aims to help farmers grow crops that guzzle greenhouse gases and earn carbon removal units through biomass management and tree plantations. The pilot project involves 3,500 mango farmers in Koppal district and has seen delays in farmer payments due to complex compliance and auditing requirements.

Key Takeaways:

• The pilot project involves 3,500 mango farmers in Koppal district of Karnataka, with a focus on mango plantations less than five years old.
• The project aims to generate carbon credits through biomass management and border tree plantations, with the forest department providing saplings for free.
• The horticulture department hopes that once the first round of payments is made, more farmers will come forward to join the initiative.
• The earnings potential for farmers under this scheme is still being assessed, but officials cite the success of a similar initiative in Andhra Pradesh's Anantapur district, where farmers reportedly earn between Rs 20,000 and Rs 40,000 per hectare from carbon credits.
• Several farmers groups are pushing back against the initiative, calling it exploitative and unjust, and arguing that farmers cannot be allowed to bear the brunt of any company's pollution.
• The lack of clarity on payment models and farmer skepticism remain major challenges for the project.

Statistics:

• Karnataka has around 1.5 lakh hectares under mango cultivation and over 2.8 lakh mango farmers, with key mango-growing districts including Kolar, Ramanagara.
• The Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) recently released a notification on the carbon credit trading scheme, 2023, which defines the Indian carbon market framework.
• India is stepping up its climate strategy by building a structured carbon pricing ecosystem aimed at reducing emissions while supporting economic growth.
• The domestic carbon market is expected to launch next year, with the government pushing for the adoption of carbon credits to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Sources:

• "NABARD launches pilot project to generate carbon credits through biomass management and border tree plantations" by TNN, Times of India, July 27
• "Karnataka launches Forest, Wildlife, and Climate Change Mitigation Foundation" by TNN, Times of India, May 26
• "Notification on Carbon Credit Trading Scheme, 2023" by MoEFCC, April 16, 2023
• "Interview with Subhradeep Das, a developmental economist" by TNN, Times of India, [no date]
• "Interview with Josh Wycliffe, COO of the International Solar Alliance" by TNN, Times of India, [no date]