STOP THE EXPERIMENT

On a global scale, there is a dire need to reduce the levels of carbon in the stratosphere and on the earth. Developed nations are of the view that those green trees should be planted that can soak more and more levels of carbon from the atmosphere so that the life of all living beings on earth becomes secure. Scientists describe this process as carbon farming. This is not a new issue as several years ago, Sahara and Australia had successfully planted eucalyptus trees on their barren lands to reduce the levels of carbon in the atmosphere, but it is not certain how much truth there is in these claims. In Barbados, on miles of land through carbon sequestration technique jatropha cropping is being done. But what is beneficial about jatropha farming is difficult to explain. In Indonesia, several benefits of the cultivation of babool in Sumatra island are being cited. According to a paper published by a university, babool cultivation has not only helped reduce the levels of carbon dioxide emission but has also led to a rise in the levels of underground water. Nobody is denying the immense benefits accruing from jatropha cultivation --- the oil produced from it, the benefits of using its dried leaves etc; but why don’t the people enumerating its benefits highlight the fact that jatropha cultivation entails the use of abundant quantities of water.

Carbon plantation advocates the cultivation of certain special species of trees. The appeal is that only those species of plants are capable of conserving the atmosphere that can soak the maximum levels of carbon emissions and whose wood can fulfil the requirements of trade. A long list of these species of trees has already been prepared.  Undoubtedly, today the world is witnessing a phase of appeals for saving the civilization in the name of carbon plantation. Ironically, today those nations are the main advocates of carbon plantation who for the purpose of commercial farming cut down ancient forests to carve out fields; used the inhabitants of those forests as slaves on that very land, and they brought slaves through human trafficking from sea routes to do farming on those lands and they prospered by carrying out qahwah-coffee cultivation. Nonetheless, according to news emanating from these nations, not much good seems to be coming to the inhabitants of those forests or those dependent on that forest produce. To speak the truth, as yet the entire picture of the work plan prepared by the World Bank has not emerged, but the development journalism of Europe has already started exposing the hidden agenda behind carbon plantations.

If reports are to be believed, then in 23 economically weaker countries of Latin America, Asia and Africa there is no law for the protection of interests of the inhabitants and locals of forests and hills. This is despite the fact that the forest cover in these 23 nations contributes 33 per cent of the output of the forest area of the entire world.  Much more than 500 types of natives and local inhabitants are dependent on these forests economically as well as culturally. The natives of Kalimantan island area in Indonesia have been severely terrorized by carbon plantation. Reports are that this area is among the highest carbon emission-producing regions of the world. That is the reason Australia has prepared the details for a $ 120-million plan for starting two carbon plantation projects here. On the other hand, the American President has given approval for $700-million for carbon plantation.  The natives of this region are worried that a huge part of the ocean has been affected by the palm tree plantation started under Reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD) and this has a bearing on their life and culture. In the wake of REDD, there has been a quick rise in the incidence of crime. Besides, the land of tribals is being grabbed on the pretext of REDD. The truth is that REDD has made the life of the tribals hell.  The way in the name of development dams, factories and roads crores of tribals have been displaced the world over, in the same manner the civilisation of these natives is being threatened now. A shining example of this are the Sengwer tribals of Kenya who have been thrown out by Kenya’s Forest Service on the pretext of the successful implementation of a World Bank natural resource management project. Unfortunately, there is no law to protect these tribals of Kenya from being evicted from their land in the name of saving the jungles. In India, there is talk of the FRA, but there are more controversies than benefits associated with it.

Again, in the name of environmental conservation and the preservation and protection of resources, the developed nations of the world are trying to enslave the third world countries. If the government is to be believed, in a few years the entire country will be affected by the “Right for Food” campaign, and according to official sources the common man has been made rich by MGNREGA. It looks he will also be enriched by carbon rights.  In view of the success story of carbon plantation emerging from the Katapali rocky region of Odisha’s Balangir distirct that has been much in the news, it looks that better days are in store for the tribals, even though the ground reality is another story. The way water conservation was a success there. It needs to be seen what will be the condition of India’s forests in the decades to come. In reality, till today there are tales of a drought amid monsoon in that area.

It remains to be seen what will be the state of our forests in the decades to come. How many jungles will be saved and will there be prosperity on account of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, or the Forest Rights Act (FRA) or will the world benefit from carbon plantation?