In a groundbreaking initiative, the District Collector’s office, in partnership with two NGOs from Pune and Bengaluru, has initiated a pilot project focused on studying carbon sequestration in grassland areas. The project is set to unfold in five villages, with the initial phase already underway at Gulanche village in Purandar, covering approximately 20 hectares of land.
Understanding Savannah Grasslands and Carbon Sequestration
UNESCO defines Savannah grasslands as areas covered with herbaceous plants, comprising 10-40% tree and shrub cover. These grasslands not only serve as valuable grazing grounds for livestock but also house diverse herbivores. Crucially, they act as essential carbon sinks, sequestering a significant amount of carbon below ground. Research indicates that the carbon stored in grasslands remains stable even after disturbances like fire or herbivory, making them unique contributors to carbon sequestration.
Grasses in these ecosystems have evolved to efficiently sequester carbon, especially in water-scarce conditions.
Addressing Pune’s Carbon Emission Challenge
Pune, grappling with consistently high carbon emissions, requires prompt interventions to curtail its environmental impact. Grasslands emerge as a potential solution, but comprehensive data is necessary before policy decisions and implementation can proceed. Recognizing this need, the district collector’s office has initiated a pilot project focused on grassland restoration to analyze the impact of carbon sequestration.
The Grassland Trust, Pune, and the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE), Bengaluru, have taken charge of the restoration work in Gulanche village in Purandar tehsil.
Poonam Mehta, deputy commissioner at the district collectorate, emphasized, “This pilot project is a crucial step toward addressing land degradation, ensuring fodder sufficiency, and promoting carbon sequestration. Grasslands, with their ability to reduce carbon emissions, play a pivotal role in environmental sustainability. To further awareness on carbon reduction, the division has established a Carbon Neutrality Facilitation Cell, emphasizing the need to expand these restoration projects extensively.”
Earlier efforts focused on grassland restoration within forest areas, marked by an MoU between the Forest Department and The Grassland Trust for such initiatives in the Pune district. Now, the current project extends beyond the forest area, broadening the scope of grassland restoration.
Mihir Godbole, founder of The Grasslands Trust, expressed, “Our scientifically responsible savannah grassland restoration projects aim to benefit biodiversity, provide fodder for local residents, and contribute to carbon sequestration, addressing the challenges posed by climate change.”
