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India Plans To Spend $6 Billion On Creating New Forests (qz.com)

Posted by BeauHD on from the that's-a-lot-of-green dept.

The Narendra Modi government plans to spend $6.2 billion to create new forests through the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Bill, 2015, which has been passed by lawmakers in India's lower house this week. The bill aims to increase India's forest cover from 21.34% of the total land to 33%. Where does the money come from? It comes from private companies and various "other entities" who paid fees to the Indian government since 2006 for allowing them to set up projects on forest land. The bill proposes local state governments be provided 90% of the accumulated funds, with 10% left with the central government. "Our forest cover will dramatically increase and it will result in achieving our target 33% of tree cover and most importantly 2.5 billion tonne of carbon sink as we have indicated in our intended nationally determined contributions (INDC)," India's environmental minister, Prakash Javadekar said on May 3rd. Naturally, some experts are concerned with how appropriately the funds will be used, as well as how exactly the government will develop forests on alternate land. According to Quartz, "Since 1980, the environment ministry has approved the diversion of 1.29 million hectares of forestlands for non-forestry purposes, according to a study by CSE." India's comptroller and auditor general has expressed his dissatisfaction with the ministry's failure to grow forests on alternative land in a report in 2013.

47 comments

  1. Wishful thinking by Dorianny · · Score: 2

    By the time the politicians are done, there will be $6.2Billion Rupee left in the accounts

    1. Re:Wishful thinking by WarJolt · · Score: 1

      So that buys you like an acre of forest, right?

    2. Re:Wishful thinking by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Troll

      Do the wishful sir, revert this email and a new Active Directing forest will be creating for $6 Billion. Thanking you for H-1B sir.

    3. Re: Wishful thinking by wyHunter · · Score: 1

      Please note it is only the Republican LEADERS who support the anti-woman crusader whose husband is a rapist.

  2. Re: While their people starve by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    You just know this money is going to be used to cut down trees.

  3. well, Islam wants to build a mountain by turkeydance · · Score: 1, Troll

    now the Hindus want to build forests. also a rock/paper/scissors type of competition.

    1. Re:well, Islam wants to build a mountain by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

      No. The Hindus don't have much to do with this. The politicians want to create a $6.2B slush fund. Plus, they need to keep handing public (forested) land over to private entities, and this gives them a justification for it: "Look, we've got a plan to plant new trees to make up for the ones we cut down." In reality, not a single tree will be planted, and yet the $6.2B will disappear into many pockets.

  4. Whew by AndyKron · · Score: 1

    Holy crap, I thought the title read "Indiana to spend $6 billion on creation museum". Whew.

    1. Re:Whew by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Whats the difference?

    2. Re:Whew by PopeRatzo · · Score: 1

      Whats the difference?

      Trees are actually good for something.

      --
      You are welcome on my lawn.
  5. Re: While their people starve by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Just during my lifetime, it has moved over 150 miles closer to me because the Republicans have funded efforts to cut down all of the trees.

  6. Re: While their people starve by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    China planted billions of trees to try to stop the the Gobi desert from spreading, but those republicans have pressured them into suspending their efforts.

  7. There will be no forests by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

    Once the openly corrupt bastards in the Indian government and bureaucracy - including their commercial criminal pals finish with this "project", there probably be a 1% increase in forest cover. India's government and bureaucracy is so corrupt,it makes me sick!

  8. Re: While their people starve by WarJolt · · Score: 0, Troll

    So many anti republican comments come from AC. How many cowards are in the Democratic party anyway? Or is it just one guy who posts this over and over until Donald Trump becomes president.

  9. Re: While their people starve by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Poplar trees with their spider web roots are awesome at stopping desertification, but the republicans have outlawed them.

  10. Re: While their people starve by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    The green wall was a low tech, but promising solution. Too bad the Republicans ruined it by refusing to fund it.

  11. Re: While their people starve by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Poplar trees with their spider web roots are awesome at stopping desertification, but the republicans have outlawed them.

    Please give us a link to the congressional bill. This should be interesting.

  12. Re:While their people starve by WarJolt · · Score: 1

    That's almost as stupid as Trump's wall. Have you read a history book? Go read about Frederick Douglass.

  13. Re: While their people starve by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    He was a Republican, so he is part of the problem.

  14. Continent Toupee by wafflemonger · · Score: 3, Insightful

    For places that have used up all the forests.

  15. Re: While their people starve by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Like Hariet Tubman who was often painted or pictured with a revolver. They are part of the problem.

  16. Re: While their people starve by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Tubman killed many African-Americans who were afraid. She demanded complete loyalty, just like her fellow Republicans today.

  17. Re: While their people starve by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    "you go on or die."

    http://www.amazon.com/Go-Free-Die-Creative-Biography/dp/0876145047

    Had to read that in high school.

  18. 100 million spending, 5900 in some richs' pockets by yanestra · · Score: 1

    India is one of the countries where you wouldn't expect a single change, no matter how giantic the amount to spend sounds.

  19. Wtf by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Give me a ton of seeds and $10,000,000 and I'll give you a forest. Keep the rest of the billions.

  20. another Earth by David Brin prediction by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    Trillion Trees

  21. Re: No toilets though by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Now this is a way to go of course, federal government should build everybody a toilet.

  22. An Indian topic without a loo? Let's fix that. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    First thing in the morning, what do I see? A pile of shit staring at me. I close my eyes, I step away. No matter where I go, thereâ(TM)s no getting away. Take your poo to the loo. Take your poo to the loo. Take your poo to the loo. Take your poo to the loo.

    Poo, poo, poo, poo, poo, everywhere. Poo, poo, poo, poo, poo, next to you. Poo, poo, poo, poo, poo, where is that loo?

    I step out on the street. What do I smell? Shit thatâ(TM)s stinky to high hell. I hold my breath, I step away. But everywhere I go, thereâ(TM)s no getting away.

    Poo, poo, poo, poo, poo, everywhere. Poo, poo, poo, poo, poo, next to you. Poo, poo, poo, poo, poo, everywhere. Poo, poo, poo, poo, poo, where is that loo.

    Shit, not shit, this shit, that shit. Letâ(TM)s see now. Let me check. Happy birthday. Happy birthday.

    Poo, poo, poo, poo, poo, everywhere. Poo, poo, poo, poo, poo, next to you. Poo, poo, poo, poo, poo, everywhere. Poo, poo, poo, poo, poo, where is that loo.

    [UNICEF India:] Source: LYBIO.net
    Jam udega, what you milayga. How to check, Salam Alayku. shit, shit. No shit, this shit, that shit. This shit, oh shit.

    Qutub Minar, Gateway of India, Charminar. Chandar Mantar ke hey hundhar, airport ki bahar.

    Abhi hoy, ya haâ¦

    Ana mana hai, ana mana hai, ana mana hai, kya ana mana hai, ho ya, ana mana hai, oh kya, ana mana hai, ana mana hai, ana mana hai, ana mana hai, ana mana hai, ana mana hai

    Hoi, oh ya

    Take a deep breath. Ayuk!

    Abhi hoy, Abhi hoy

    Boltho kya,

    Abhi hoi

    Bolta kya

    Bolta Kya

    Iski uthooth, take the poo to the loo. Take the poo to the loo. Take the poo â" we got to do what we got to do â" to the loo. Take the poo â" we got to take the pooh to the loo â" to the loo. Take the poo, we got to take the poo. Take the poo, we got to take the pooh. We got to, got to, got to, got, got, got, got, got.

    Letâ(TM)s take the poo to the loo. Letâ(TM)s take the poo to the loo. Letâ(TM)s take the poo to the loo. Letâ(TM)s take the poo to the loo.

    Poo, poo, poo, poo, poo, everywhere. Poo, poo, poo, poo, poo, next to you. Poo, poo, poo, poo, poo, everywhere. Poo, poo, poo, poo, poo, thereâ(TM)s that poo.

    [UNICEF India:] Source: LYBIO.net
    Letâ(TM)s take the poo to the loo. Letâ(TM)s take the poo to the loo. Letâ(TM)s take the poo to the loo. Letâ(TM)s take the poo to the loo. Letâ(TM)s take the poo to the loo. Letâ(TM)s take the poo to the loo. Letâ(TM)s take the poo to the loo. Letâ(TM)s take the poo to the loo.

    Poo to the loo. Poo to the loo. Poo to the loo. Poo to the loo. Poo to the loo. Poo to the loo.

    1. Re:An Indian topic without a loo? Let's fix that. by nikkipolya · · Score: 3, Interesting

      You surely lived in India. There was not one instance when we went out for a long walk in Banguloru streets and didn't step into poo. It was dog poo, cow poo, human poo or some poo every time. And my Indian colleagues advised me to rub my flip-flops against the pavement to get it off. Pretty standard practice there. I wasn't annoyed, but its hilarious.

      And surely the kind of corruption they have in their, makes this country feel like the most honest nation on the planet. You can buy your way out of/into anything. You killed someone? No problem. If you have money, you will be out of all trouble.

  23. Not correct but less than 600 Million by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Rest will be lost in corruption

  24. Water? by BarbaraHudson · · Score: 2

    Right now India is drying up, 330 million people don't have enough water, wells have dried up, armed guards are stationed around the power dam to prevent people from stealing water because if it falls just one more foot, no more power.

    They'd be far better off forcibly sterilizing people (both parents) after 1 kid.

    --
    "Transparent" is a shit show that trades on every stereotype going. A man in drag is NOT a transsexual.
    1. Re:Water? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      That place is called lattur in Mahrashtra state - can be comparable to dry california. It is not the fault of locals and they have every right to reproduce just like you. Sitting in Europe or America and looking down on India's poor is very comforting and so easy to command sterilizing them?

    2. Re:Water? by BarbaraHudson · · Score: 1

      If they don't reduce their population there's a pretty good risk that they will all be sterilized in a game of thermonuclear war. Malthus was right. If you have a problem with that, don't blame me.

      --
      "Transparent" is a shit show that trades on every stereotype going. A man in drag is NOT a transsexual.
  25. Bamboo Forests Are Best by JimSadler · · Score: 2

    One can grow a bamboo forest in one year and the first five years that bamboo grabs carbon quite efficiently. At the five year point you need to harvest the bamboo as it no longer is a good carbon sink. But bamboo will tend to pop right back up and start sucking carbon again so replanting will probably not be required. Meanwhile, the harvested bamboo has numerous, wonderful uses such as making paper, thus sparing trees from becoming paper pulp. It can also make panda bears very happy.

  26. Trees! by dlenmn · · Score: 2

    It sounds like planting more trees in place of sugar cane could help with this problem. From the article you linked to:

    Experts also say that the drought is not a natural disaster but a consequence of decades of bad farming practices.

    In recent years, the state government allowed the proliferation of sugar factories owned by local politicians, which led to a sort of gold rush among farmers here to cultivate water-guzzling sugar cane, said Pradeep Purandare, a former professor of water studies at the Water and Land Management Institute.

    Seventy percent of the water from the state’s dams goes to cane farms. But cane growers have drawn on groundwater, further sapping the aquifers.

    Mostly unrelated but cool fact I learned: planting trees can have serious effects on climate. Take the example of Ascension Island

    In 1836 the Beagle voyage visited Ascension. Charles Darwin described it as an arid treeless island, with nothing growing near the coast... In 1843, botanist and explorer Joseph Hooker visited the island. Four years later, Hooker, with much encouragement from Darwin, advised the Royal Navy that with the help of Kew Gardens, they should institute a long-term plan of shipping trees to Ascension. The planted trees would capture more rain and improve the soil, allowing the barren island to become a garden. So, from 1850 and continuing year on year, ships came with an assortment of plants from botanical gardens in Argentina, Europe and South Africa. By the late 1870s Norfolk pines, eucalyptus, bamboo, and banana trees grew in profusion at the highest point of the island, Green Mountain, creating a tropical cloud forest.

    Granted, that's a special case that won't be repeated in India. Still, we usually only think of weather affecting the plants -- not plants affecting weather. It's good to remember that it works both ways.