Promode Kant , R. P. S. Katwal

Abstract

Inclusion of afforestation and reforestation as eligible activities in Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) under the Kyoto Protocol has necessitated change in the existing definition of the baselines. The Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technical Advice (SBSTA) constituted under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has suggested five options for this purpose for discussion and adoption at the ninth Conference of Parties to UNFCCC. The authors have analyzed the relative merits of these options and have argued that on account of scientific desirability , technical feasibility and economic considerations , the most appropriate definition for baselines for forestry projects under the CDM is a variant of one of the options that defines the baseline as the "scenario that represents the net changes in carbon stocks within the project area in the most likely prospective land use at the time the project starts. It is subject to the condition that the construction of the scenario be based on the land suitability classification , land ownership and legal and policy restraints at the beginning of the project and , further , that the project shall take all necessary and possible measures to reduce the emission of methane and nitrous oxide gases due to project activities".

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R. P. S. Katwal , P. L. Soni

Abstract

Both transport and industry depend heavily on diesel, which is produced from crude oil. However, reserves of crude oil are rapidly diminishing and the reliability and security of oil supplies has been of global concern. Depleting reserves of fossil fuel and increasing effect of environment pollution from these fuels demand eco.friendly alternatives. Biofuels (plant based fuel) can supplement or replace fossil fuels as they are renewable and environmentally safe. The most common type of biofuels that are being developed and used at present are bioethanol and biodiesel. After examining economic and operational aspects of blending of ethanol in petrol in terms oflogistic, marketing and distribution, Government of India decided to promote the use of 5% ethanol blend gasoline as a motor fuel in the country. To meet the energy needs of the country, annual consumption of petro diesel in 2000-2001 was about 38% of the total petroleum products. In view of economic, environmental and health benefits associated with use ofbiodiesel, planners have decided to develop biofuel programme in the country and targets are fixed to replace 5% and 10% of petro diesel by biodiesel by the year 2010 and 2015, respectively. Economics of production of biodiesel is a determining factor in making biofuel programme successful. The fatty oil derived from Jatropha curcas (Ratanjyot) and Pongamia pinnata (Karanj) are the excellent feed stock for biodiesel production. The paper presents on overview of biodiesel production using these species in Indian context and socio-economic development likely to occur.

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R. P. S. Katwal , P. L. Soni

Abstract

Industrial development in India has occurred mostly to meet increasing urban consumer needs and to support the vital agriculture sector. The traditional home based enterprises have also been simultaneously experiencing steady growth. Cottage industries have slowly changed to rural cottage or semi-urban micro-enterprises with limited assistance from government. Agarbathi making is one such industry. It has responded well to increased demand for its products both in rural and urban areas, mainly because of the continued availability of cheap labour force dominated by women and children. Agarbathi industry uses forest based raw materials like bamboo, wood, ischolar_mains, barks, jigat, leaves, flowers, seeds, gums, resins and secondary derived materials like charcoal, aromatic chemicals etc. Demand for Agarbathi stick is continuously increasing both in domestic and export sector. According to one estimate international incense stick market is valued at US $ 1 billion per annum. Therefore, the demand of the raw material is likely to increase manifold in near future and lot of pressure will be on depleting forest resources. New strategy ought to be evolved to meet the challenge.

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