The country’s recently announced target to enhance its carbon sink demands a holistic strategy to safeguard and promote natural biodiversity of its forests without injustice to its vast tribal population.

   The preservation of biodiversity demands an evergreen cover, while the journey to reach the goal has to overcome the challenges of developmental aspirations, environmental demands and mounting injustice to the tribal population and the poor. The need to address the challenges has become an urgent national priority, following the Climate Plan unveiled by India ahead of the Paris Climate Summit.

   The Plan proposes to cut the carbon emissions per unit of the country’s GDP by up to 35 per cent by 2030. Towards this end, India plans to get 40 per cent of its electricity from non-fossil fuel sources, while increasing tree plantation to absorb the carbon emissions. It is proposed to create an additional carbon sink of....