As a first milestone for the Alliance, we crafted a scientific evidence-based roadmap with the most credible data for the Government of India to achieve its sequestration target. This includes nearly 10 million hectares (10MHa) of degraded cropland and 1MHa each of degraded riparian habitats and open natural ecosystems in peninsular India. We also took a closer look at the classification of degradation and understood that some of the categories must be evaluated for their ecological value and other forms of ecosystem restoration must be introduced to move away from the mainstream narrative of merely tree-planting being promoted by the state. Additionally, co-benefits such as maintenance of hydrological cycles, biodiversity conservation, livelihoods, and nutritional security must not be ignored.
2020- Ongoing
Alliance for Reversing Ecosystem Service Threats
Applicable across multiple ecoregions
Key details
About the project
Videos
2020- Ongoing
Alliance for Reversing Ecosystem Service Threats
Applicable across multiple ecoregions
Key details
Aim of the restoration project
In 2020, we formed the Alliance for Reversing Ecosystem Service Threats (AREST) with Columbia University, International Center for Agroforestry (ICRAF), Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) and the Foundation for Ecological Security (FES). The AREST partnership brings together scientific knowledge that resides in the different institutions toward ecosystem restoration on four types of habitats in India’s semi-arid and sub-humid zones.
What was the condition of the land before restoration? And what are the past and current disturbances?
AREST looks at restoring 4 types of ecosystems:
- Lands infested with invaded species (mainly Lantana)
- Open natural ecosystems
- Riparian zones
- Degraded agricultural lands
What are the restoration activities that were/are being carried out?
- Analysing multi-dimensional data for land use, land degradation, land cover, livestock pressure, impacts of invasive species, and hydrological risks and trade-offs with other ecosystem services
- Conducting demand-side assessments by analyzing socio-economic factors of tenure, fuelwood dependence, local demographics, and nutritional security.
- Based on the above, identifying socio-ecologically suitable interventions and species for restoration
- Identifying financing mechanisms based on supply-side and demand-side assessments for funding restoration
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From weed removal, to monitoring, seed collection, nursery building, protection of the area, community engagement etc.
Area of the project
Size independent
Location
Applicable across multiple ecoregions
Altitude
100-1500 m
Annual rainfall
500-1800 mm
Temperature
7°C to 48°C
About the project
Videos
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An abundance of co-benefits, NbS for livelihoods, nutritional outcomes, ecosystem services and employment | Nature Zone Pavillion
The panel presented a co-benefits approach to make a case to implement NbS for meeting NDC targets. Ruth DeFries, Environmental Geographer, Columbia University, discussed people-centric nutrition, adaptation and mitigation benefits from incentivizing millet-based cultivation. Ishan Agrawal, General Manager, Programs, Foundation for Ecological Security discussed participatory governance approaches for adaptive management of invasive on commons to protect the livelihoods of the poor. Ravi Prabhu, Director, Innovation, Investment & Impact, CIFOR-ICRAF, emphasized the need for investments in stewardship and innovation to scale up nature based solutions.
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Catalysts, Collaborations, and Bottlenecks to Financing for NbS | Nature Zone Pavillion
Obtaining both public and private finance for NbS is a key barrier for upscaling existing efforts. Moderated by Dr. Nitin Pandit (ATREE), the panel deliberated on navigating a complex network of institutions to mobilize finance for large-scale NbS. Christina Ender, Regional Climate Change Director (Africa), Conservation International, discussed livelihood focused restoration of rangelands in South Africa though planned grazing, managing livestock health and incentives including payment for ecosystem services and governance and capacity building. CSR Murthy, Chief General Manager, Farm Sector Development Department at NABARD discussed India’s experiences around natural resource management at NABARD. Richie Ahuja, Associate Vice President, Climate-smart Agriculture at the Environmental Defense Fund touched upon innovation, the importance of understanding demand from a farmer’s perspective and the role of low-cost commercial financing. -
From Pledges to a Pathway for India with Ecological Restoration of 26MHa | Nature Zone Pavilion
The panel deliberated on the financial, institutional and governance pathways critical for implementing a restoration roadmap to achieve restoration of 26 MHa of degraded land and India’s NDC3 pledge on land-based carbon sequestration from additional carbon sinks. Karishma Shelar, Senior Policy Analyst, ATREE presented the approach of the Alliance for Reversing Ecosystem Service Threats for meeting India’s land-based climate pledges. Leigh Ann Winowiecki, Soil and Land Health Research Lead at World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF, discussed citizen science approaches on co-learning from communities. Abi Vanak, Senior Fellow, ATREE, discussed the importance of biodiversity conservation for livelihoods by protecting open natural ecosystems. Richie Ahuja emphasised the need for near-farmer institutions to address information asymmetry and implement the right interventions on the ground.
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Scaling and financing ecosystem-based adaptation
Hosted by CIFOR-ICRAF, Watershed Organization Trust, Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and Environment, TMG Think Tank For Sustainability, AuctusESG.
We discussed ecosystem-based adaptation as an inclusive and just approach to address adaptation needs, boost emission sinks and address the livelihood challenges of vulnerable communities. This session presented scaling and financing mechanisms based on experiences from Africa and India and included representations from the host organisations.
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