Trees outside forests-an economic and environmental opportunity in the face of climate change

Trees outside forests, including agroforestry, are the major source of wood produced in India. Keeping in view their direct benefits, inter alia livelihood security, climate-resilient agriculture for small and marginal farmers, and sustained supply of quality feedstock to the industry, a multidisciplinary approach in a mission mode is suggested for optimizing the impact of various programmes initiated by the Government and private sector. This would reduce import dependency on basics like paper pulp, newsprint and timber. A natural spin-off is conservation of germplasm in the forests and increased carbon sequestration by the trees and that locked in wood products, thereby contributing to India's international climate and land restoration commitments.