The ICFRE (Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education) in collaboration with ICIMOD (International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development), GiZ and the Department of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Government of Mizoram jointly organised the Stakeholders’ Consultation Meeting for Integration of REDD+ in Land Use Planning Activities at Forest Research Centre on Bamboo and Rattan, Bethlehem Vengthlang today. Shri T.J Lalnuntluanga, the Hon’ble Minister of State for Environment, Forest & Climate Change graced the occasion as Chief Guest and released the State REDD+ Action Plan of Mizoram during the consultative meeting.
Chief Guest Shri T.J Lalnuntluanga said that bringing down the carbon footprints could bridged the gaps of growth and development in the country. He also said that micro-planning and afforestation in Mizoram would enhance the forest cover percentage at the national level.
REDD+ Himalaya Project will enable the Government for preparation of National REDD+ Strategy of India. Mizoram is the first state in the country to take initiatives in this regard. Forests are crucial for livelihood and food security. Forest and tree cover of Mizoram is 88.48% of total Geographical Area. SFR-2017 reported loss of 531 Sq.km. forest cover compared to assessment of 2015. Forests under pressure suffered serious depletion due to Shifting Cultivation, tremendous changes in land use pattern, uncontrolled tree felling and over exploitation of forest resources. REDD+ is a policy instrument to reduce deforestation and forest degradation and promote sustainable management and conservation of forest. REDD+ has taken mitigation steps by incentivizing the development countries for reducing emission from deforestation and forest degradation, conservation of forest carbon stocks, sustainable management of trees, enhancement of forest carbon stock through forest conservation and policy measures.
ICIMOD and REDD+ will identify the donors of Integrated Package worth Rs 2704.31 lakh. Giz (from Germany) will provide technical assistance in this project. The State Action Plan tries to enhance capacity building, disseminating knowledge and transforming open forest to medium forest and many more.
