Carbon Sequestration and Economic Potential of the Selected Medicinal Tree Species: Evidence From Sikkim, India

Abstract

Medicinal plants are widely used in India for various livelihood and health benefits. However, there is a lack of awareness and research on their carbon sequestration and economical potential, which constrains their use in various ongoing carbon forestry schemes precluding farmers from potential carbon revenue opportunities. The present study seeks to fill this knowledge gap by assessing the carbon sequestration and economic potential of three extensively used medicinal tree species of Emblica officinalis (Amla), Terminalia belerica (Bahera), and Terminalia chebula (Harar) in the state of Sikkim with the help of the project-based comprehensive mitigation assessment process (PROCOMAP) model. The findings of this research suggest that the selected species of Amla, Bahera, and Harar have significant carbon sequestration rates of 1, 2.64, and 1.42 tC ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹, which could generate Indian National Rupees (INR) 844, 1,198, and 2,228 ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹, respectively from carbon revenues in a $5/tCO₂ scenario through various ongoing carbon forestry schemes.

Keywords:

• medicinal trees
• carbon forestry
• carbon sequestration
• Sikkim
• India

Acknowledgments

The present study has been carried out under the project “Feasibility Study on Carbon Sequestration Benefits From Growing Tree Species of Medicinal Value” funded by the National Medicinal Plants Board, New Delhi. The authors acknowledge the financial support by the Board. The authors are grateful to the Forest Department staff of Sikkim, especially Mr. Pardeep Kumar, Conservator of Forests; and Mr. Thinley Gyacho, DFO (NTFP), for their wholehearted support.