Tunnel Vision In Climate Policy: A Case Study Of CDM Forestry Projects In India

Abstract

This paper attempts to find out the social, economic andenvironmental impacts of the forestry projects under theClean Development Mechanism (CDM) of the KyotoProtocol. It is a case study of two -reforestation projects-undertaken by the private sector in the forest-richChhattisgarh, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh states of India.Some of the most fertile and forested regions ofChhattisgarh, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh have beendeclared as-severely degraded - on the basis of satellitedata for the purpose of CDM reforestation projects. Theprojects are on the lands owned by poor tribal people whohave been weaned away from subsistence farming. Theeconomic benefits of the project go to private companiesthat manufacture paper and fibre boards while the poorfarmers wait for the next harvest for succor. The project hasalso taken away much of the grazing lands from the villagers.Apart from leading to loss of biodiversity, eucalyptusplantations are known to be bad for total ecologicaleconomics. This is an example of how the market basedmechanisms of the Kyoto Protocol add to the pressure onbiodiversity.