J. Y. Sharma , Grace Lhouvum , Suresh Chauhan , Banwari Lal , T. P. Singh , Varghese Paul

Abstract

Bauxite residue, also known as red mud, is a by-product of the Bayer Process. Bauxite is composed principally of the monohydrate and trihydrate forms of alumina in varying proportions. The research study was conducted to rehabilitate used red mud ponds of INDAL (Indian Aluminium Company Ltd.), Belgaum, Karnataka, India, by identifying suitable trees, grasses, and legume species as well as amenders, including bacteria and mycorrhizae, to improve the physico-chemical condition of red mud deposits and convert it to a substrate. Amenders such as gypsum, FYM (farmyard manure), fly ash/vegetative dust in different proportions, forming three basic combinations, A, B, and C, were developed. These three combinations were then treated with the bacteria and mycorrhizae both alone, and in combination, to form twelve treatments and one control. The research study showed that there is remarkable change in the physical and chemical properties of red muod after amendment, which provides the platform for plantation growth. The best combination found for treating red mud ponds was: Red mud + 20% FYM + 10% Gypsum + 15% Fly ash + Bacteria + Mycorrhizae for four tree species, Prosopis julijlora, Acacia nilotica, Pangamia pinnata and Melia azedarach, and three grass/legume species Brachiaria mutica, Chloris gayana, and Sesbania sesban.

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Mohit Gera , Suresh Chauhan

Abstract

Forestry CDM projects involving afforestation and reforestation offer opportunities for CO₂ mitigation by removal of accumulated CO₂ in atmosphere and sequester it in vegetation, soil and wood products. Besides being grown for longer periods, tree species of medicinal importance are associated with recurring benefits to the growers, on account of fruits, seeds and other products. The potential of involvement of low income communities in growing these tree species for sustainable economic returns make these plantations a promising activity under CDM framework. The present study on plantation of tree species of medicinal importance such as Amla, Arjun, Bael, Bahera, Harar, Jamun, Neem and Reetha has shown that there is significantly large sequestration potential in the range of 3.05 to 11.01 tons of CO₂ per ha per year with corresponding carbon benefits of Rs. 702/- to Rs. 2532/- and Rs. 1404/- to Rs. 5064/- under carbon prices of $5 and $10 per ton of CO₂ respectively on annual basis for a project period of 30 years. The study has further shown that the increase in returns due to carbon benefits can motivate the small farmers to opt for plantation of these species on farm bunds. The eligibility requirements of these plantations as required under the definition of Forest' as accepted by India is also discussed.

Keywords

Carbon Sequestration, CDM Project, Poplar, Evcalyptus, Haryana, Medicinally Important Tree Species

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Suresh Chauhan , Mohit Gera

Abstract

Forestry CDM projects involving plantation of native species offer opportunities for CO₂ mitigation by removal of accumulated CO₂ in atmosphere and sequester it in vegetation, soil and wood products. Besides being grown for longer periods, tree species of medicinal importance are associated with recurring benefits to the growers, on account of fruits, seeds and other products. The present study on plantation of tree species of medicinal importance such as Amla, Arjun, Bael, Bahera, Harar, Jamun, Neem and Reetha on forest as well as the private lands have shown that there is significantly large sequestration potential in the range of 3.56 to 16.77 tons of CO₂ per ha per year with corresponding carbon benefits of Rs. 819/- to Rs. 3,858/- and Rs. 1,638/- to Rs. 7,716/- under carbon prices of $5 and $10 per ton of C0₂ respectively, on per ha per annum for a project period of 30 years. The study has further shown that the increase in returns on account of carbon revenue is likely to motivate the smallfarmers to optforplantationof these speciesoncommunitylandsandfarm bunds.

Keywords

Carbon Benefits, Tree Species of Medicinal Importance, Clean Development Mechanism, Punjab

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Suresh Chauhan , Jitendra Vir Sharma , Banwari Lal , Varghese Paul

Abstract

Based on the findings of the research trials on the rehabilitation of red mud conducted by TERI, New Delhi, a field experiment was implemented on pilot basis over 1.08 ha of the red mud pond at INDAL, Belgaum, Karnataka. Optimum combination, identified in the trials i.e., Red mud + 25% FYM + 15% Gypsum + 5% Vegetative dry dust + Bacteria + Mycrorrihaza, was used for the field experiment. Five tree species, i.e., Prosopis juliflora, Pongamia pinnata, Acacia nilotica, Leucaena Leucocephala and Albizia lebbek and five grass/legumes species i.e., Brachiaria mutica, Chloris gayana, Sesbania sesban, Brachiaria decumbens and Stylosanthes scabra, identified through the research trials, were grown in the experimental plot. The findings reveal remarkable changes in physical and chemical characteristics of red mud after amendment, which provides conducive medium for plants to grow. After thirteen months, among the tree species, Leuacaena leucocephala species showed maximum average growth rate and low mortality, while among the grass/legumes, all the five species gave good growth and survival. The micronutrients contents increased and alkalinity of the red mud decreased up to seven months from the start of the experiment. However, after seven months there was reduction in the micronutrients contents and increase in the alkalinity of the red mud, which is due to the uptake of micronutrients by the plants.

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Suresh Chauhan , C. S. Silori

Abstract

The present article is based on the results of a pilot project conducted to improve the physico chemical characteristics of bauxite residue (red mud) to make it suitable for rehabilitation through afforestation activities. Of the five tree species selected during nursery trials, Prosopis juliflora, Acacia nilotica, and Pongamia pinnata responded well in combination with 55% Redmud + 25% FYM + 15% Gypsum + 5% Vegetative dry dust + Bacteria + Mycorrihzae, while other two species, Melia azedarach and Acacia tortilis did not survive and thus were replaced by Albizia lebbek and Leucaena leucocephala during pilot implementation in 1.08 ha research plot of red mud of Hindustan Aluminium Company Limited (HINDALCO) at Belgaum, Karnataka, South India. Among the grass and legume species, all the selected four species viz. Brachiaria mutica, Brachiaria decumbens, Stylosanthes scabra and Sesbania sesban performed well. Continuous monitoring on growth pattern of tree and grass species and soil characteristics revealed remarkable changes in the physico chemical properties of red mud.

Keywords

Reclamation, Afforestation, Bauxite Mines, Residue (red Mud) Soil Amenders, Grass Species

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Jitendra Vir Sharma ¹, Yogesh Gokhle ¹, Suresh Chauhan ¹, Aparna Tyagi ¹

Affiliations
1 The Energy and Resources Institute, New Delhi, IN

Abstract

The Forest Right Act, 2006 has been implemented by Maharashtra State and recognized 108112 (Individual, Community and Community Forest Resource Rights) consisting of 305561.9 ha of forest land in 22 districts till 31^st July 2014. The forest rights recognized on 14668.96 hectare of forest land are against the provisions of Forest right Act, 2006 which causes emission of 113395 tonnes of CO₂ in the atmosphere due to deforestation and loss of opportunity for Carbon sequestration at the rate of 9017 tonnes of CO₂ per year, and also the loss of other Ecosystem Services.

Keywords

Forest Right Act, Green House Gases, Above Ground Biomass, Below Ground Biomass, Remote Sensing-Geographic Information System.

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