Volume : 6, Issue : 11, NOV 2020

AN ANALYTICAL APPROACH ON CARBON CAPTURE & SEQUESTRATION POTENTIAL OF INDIAN FORESTS

PRAGATI VERMA

Abstract

The projections captured on climate change reveal rise in future global mean temperature, increment in sea levels and enlargement in the frequency of heat waves due to unlimited anthropogenic emissions of C02 mainly caused by forest degradation and fossil fuel combustion from many decades. The scale of the problem is very challenging and must not be underestimated. It is therefore necessary to seek for such alternative options which could possibly reduce the concentration of Carbon in the atmosphere without harming the need for developmental activities. To keep control on GHG emission, discussions often look upon transition to C02 free energy resources such as nuclear or renewable energy production in various applications but that incorporates a huge initial economic value. For carbon capture & sequestration (CCS) a range of other alternatives also exist with low-tech investments. The contribution of forests as a significant potential option for CCS must not be neglected. The results of many scientific studies have shown substantial carbon harvest from forests and carbon capture through the biological growth of forests. The present paper analyses ecological perspectives of enhanced carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) in forests and carbon stock changes as well as potential of carbon sequestration in Indian forests.

Keywords

FORESTS, CARBON EMISSION, CLIMATE CHANGE, CARBON SEQUESTRATION, CARBON STOCK, SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT.

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