Forests working as ‘carbon sink’ in Himalayas

DEHRADUN: Forests in Uttarakhand are working as “carbon sink” in the Himalayas by absorbing carbon emissions in the atmosphere, according to a study by scientists of Dehradun-based Indian Institute of Remote Sensing (IIRS), an organisation under Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

The findings are part of a 10-year study by IIRS scientists on Carbon Sequestration Potential of Himalayan Forests to absorb the Carbon emissions present in the atmosphere which are one of the factors responsible for climate crisis.

Carbon sinks are natural environments like oceans and forests or artificial systems like some technologies and chemicals which absorb and capture carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere and reduce its concentration in the air.

Hitendra Padliya, an IIRS scientist, who has been leading the research team comprising four other scientists, said the project, which is still ongoing, was started under the National Carbon Project in 2009.

“The research was to find out the carbon absorption capacity of the forests in Uttarakhand in the Himalayan region for which we had installed two carbon flux towers each in the forests of Barkot area in Dehradun of Garhwal region and the forests of Tarai forest division in Haldwani region of Kumaon region. While the one in Dehradun was installed in Moist Sal forests, that in Haldwani was installed in the dry forest.”

“The towers helped in monitoring the carbon absorption by the forests which helped us to come up with the finding that forests here are acting as Carbon Sink which means instead of emitting carbons, they are absorbing which is significant because of the fact that if not managed properly, forests can also become source of carbon emission. Our forests are absorbing the carbon which suggests that they are being managed in a proper way,” he said.

The senior scientist said: “We would be able to compile solid data on caron sequestration after more research. We would get that data after research of total 20 to 30 years because it needs detailed study.”

Padliya, while stressing on importance of the finding on carbon absorption, said, “It will help India in putting its side strongly in the global forums on climate change and global warming where it is often accused of emitting more carbon leading to global warming.”

“India will now be able to put its side in a stronger manner using the findings our research that our forests are absorbing carbon, to counter those accusations at various international forums on climate change.”

Indian Institute of Remote Sensing director Prakash Chauhan said, “Once the data is complete on how the forests of Uttarakhand are helping in fighting the climate change by absorbing carbon, the state can demand compensation from the Centre for same.”