Carbon trading: Money from (clean) air

C. Rajalakshmi ‘Clean money for dirty air’. That’s the premise of an emerging trade in carbon credits, which is gaining more impetus with increase in the number of Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) project ideas approved by the National Clean Development Mechanism Authority. The value of the carbon trading market was around $30 billion in 2006 as per the estimates of the International Emissions Trading Association. Since 2002, a cumulative 920 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents have been transacted through CDM project activities. European buyers dominate the market, with 86 per cent market share as of 2006. On the selling side, India leads the race with 288 CDM projects registered followed by China with 129 projects as of November 2007.............................. full news at: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/iw/2007/11/18/stories/2007111851591500.htm

Uttarakhand forests valued at $2.4 billion

Our Bureau New Delhi, Nov 25 The forests in Uttarakhand region have been valued at $2.4 billion (approximately Rs 10,700 crore) per year in terms of the services they provide. This needs to be recognised and compensated, according to a study released here on Saturday. Globally, it is estimated that the current economic value of the services provided by the earth’s ecosystems is at least $33 trillion per year. Millennium Ecosystem Assessment 2003, has defined Ecosystem Services (ESs) as a wide range of conditions and processes through which natural ecosystems, and species that make them up, sustain and fulfil human life. Ecosystem Services Thirty-two such services, including carbon sequestration, climate management, hydrological regulation, timber, firewood, soil conservation, pollination and other non-timber forest produces (NTFPs) have been identified so far, the study said. In the forests of Uttarakhand, the average value of about $1,150 per hectare per year for the services provided needs to be reflected in our economic planning and compensated for, said the recent study, ‘Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Forest Governance, in Uttarakhand, as a scoping study’. Uttarakhand has nearly 70 per cent forest cover, of which 40 per cent is ‘good forest’. While the entire Himalayas are hailed as the water towers of the world................................. full news at: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/11/26/stories/2007112651020200.htm

ENVIRONMENT-INDIA: Tribals Distressed by Ban on Forest Gathering

By Keya Acharya Credit:Keya Acharya/IPS Soliga tribals contemplate their bleak future in the BRT Hills, Karnataka state. KANNERI, BRT Hills Sanctuary, Karnataka, Nov 20 (IPS) - The magical trill of the Nilgiri Whistling Thrush deep in the jungles of this remote southern Indian wildlife sanctuary is no comfort to its nearly 2,000 Soliga aboriginal tribal families. The implementation in 2006 of the Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act 2002 now bans adviasis (aboriginal tribes) from gathering non-timber forest produce (NTFP) such as honey, wild herbs, mosses, lichen and fruits for commercial purposes from parks and sanctuaries. Till the ban, Soligas had usufruct rights to collect NTFP and sell them to their own cooperative LAMPs (Large-scale Adivasi Multipurpose Society) which in turn would auction them to the highest bidder, generally traders who in turn sell the produce to various industries. Being a cooperative, LAMPS functioned on a non-profit basis. Approximately 12,500 (of a total population of 30,000) Soliga had subsisted inside BRT (short for Biligiri Rangana Betta), growing a little food and relying heavily on NTFP sales for daily sustenance. Their close link with the forests has given them a deep knowledge of the ecology and of the forests of BRT. There have been no instances reported of poaching or harming wildlife by Soliga inside the sanctuary. But without the small income from selling to LAMPS, Soliga families are now facing starvation and distress...................................................... full news at: http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=40128

Climate change will affect business scenario of India’

Posted online: Monday , November 26, 2007 at 12:00:00 Updated: Monday , November 26, 2007 at 12:39:45 New Delhi, November 25 “A 10 per cent increase of the forest cover in urban cities can reduce the overall temperature by 4 per cent,” said Pamela Gale Malhotra, founder of the Sai Sanctuary in Southern India at a conclave titled ‘Climate Change: Preparing India to Face Emerging Challenges’ in the Capital on Sunday. Malhotra was explaining ways how the urban citizens can contribute towards reducing the greenhouse effect. “We, the public, make decisions about whom to vote and for whom not to. It is by making right decisions that we can bring about a positive change”, said Malhotra. The conclave was attended by many celebrities like advertising guru Alyque Padamsee, Amala, a South Indian actress, and Meera Sanyal, Head of Services, ABN AMRO Asia. The conclave, which will end on Monday, is a joint effort by ICONGO, a confederation of NGOs and media groups. It aimed at creating awareness on how to save the Earth. “At present saving Earth is the mother of all issues and that is why we have chosen the topic this year.............................................................. full news at: http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Climate-change-will-affect-business-scenario-of-India/243411/

Asia signs ‘green region’ pact

ENVIROMENT: Asia signs ‘green region’ pact Leaders of 16 Asian nations including China and India signed an environmental pact, pledging action on climate change and forest cover, and promoting the use of nuclear energy. The East Asia Summit members threw their support behind a UN plan as the ‘core mechanism’ for tackling global warming. They committed to work harder to develop alternative energy sources and cleaner fossil-fuel technologies, and to improve energy efficiency and conservation. The East Asia Summit, which embraces the 10-nation ASEAN bloc plus Australia, China, India,............................... full news at: http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007%5C11%5C26%5Cstory_26-11-2007_pg6_20

100 acres for ISRO’s space institute

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Cabinet on Wednesday decided to give 100 acres at Thennur village in Thiruvananthapuram district free of cost for the proposed campus of the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST). Briefing presspersons on Cabinet decisions, Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan said the State government would build a road to the site on the Ponmudi hills. The revenue land was part of the land returned to the State by Ponmudi Tea and Rubber Company in 1917. Though the government had offered 125 acres, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), which runs the IIST, said that 100 acres would suffice. The Chief Minister said that Forest Divisional Officer N. Balakrishna Pillai who had reported that the land was forest had no right to say so. Officials were making unnecessary statements because the government had taken action against some officials who had aided the Merchiston estate in a land deal with ISRO. The land had trees of up to 30 feet in height. The predominant species were ‘Njaval’ (Jamun) and ‘Chenkurinji’ (Gulta travancorica: it is a species found only in areas south of the Aryankavu pass). full story at :http://www.hindu.com/2007/11/22/stories/2007112250290100.htm