The Ideal Process Flow for Agroforestry Projects (Especially on Farmer Land)
In many agroforestry projects, people get excited and start rushing things.
Pits are dug by generic labourers & contractors, approx number of saplings dispatched to site, plantation begins- but then problems start coming one after another. Plants don’t survive, saplings count in mismatched saplings are either short or over supplied on a plot, it leads to waste of sapling, or opportunity. You are dependent on field supervisors for information about the project, rather depending on quality checked data. You are at the mercy of people on the ground.
Even worse, after 2–3 years, there’s no proper data of actual plantation done, which affects the carbon credit process.
From our experience on farmer lands, we advise Project Developers and Investors a very different scalable work-flow for a foolproof Agroforestry project. We suggest using Technology from Day 1, during the planning stage. The technology should drive actions done on the field, and not vice versa.
Here is how the flow should look like:
1. Baseline Survey + KML Mapping
Before touching the land parcel, understand it properly. Do a proper baseline survey and Polygon mapping, generate KML files to digitally mark the boundary of each farmer’s land.
Then use this polygon mapping to study the shape of the land and check for any barriers like water bodies, houses, slopes or bunds. This helps you know how much area is actually usable and available for plantation
2. Pit Digging & Infrastructure Setup
Calculate exact number of trees possible in that land parcel. Don’t let the labourers dig pits randomly. Decide how many pits to dig, where to dig and what spacing to keep between saplings. Create a layout for every plot, similar to how architects create drawings for every room in a house. If it’s a bund plantation, count the available bunds and total trees which can be accommodated on that bund.
Also plan and install drip irrigation before plantation begins. Water supply is very important in the first 2–3 years of plant life. Don’t delay it.
3. Digital Count of the Pits
Once the pits are ready, do the pits counting digitally.
If possible, use drones to get aerial visuals and understand the area better.
This gives a more accurate number of how many saplings you really need.
4. Plantation + Geo-Tagging
During plantation, make sure each sapling is geo-tagged or marked with a unique ID.
This helps you track which sapling was planted where, and makes it easier for monitoring later.
Think of every tree like a data point.
5. Digital Monitoring & Replantation Planning
After plantation, don’t forget the plants. Do follow ups regularly- after the first rain, after 6 months, and again after 1 year. If some saplings die, you’ll know exactly which ones need to be replanted if they’re geo-tagged. Otherwise, replantation becomes full of guesswork and confusion.
6. Carbon Monitoring & Reporting
If your goal is to earn carbon credits, you need 2–3 years of consistent digital records.
This includes:
– Tree survival data
– Geo-tagged reports
– Replantation logs
– Irrigation reports
Only with this kind of digital documentation and tech-based process, your project will qualify for carbon credit eligibility.
Agroforestry is not just about planting trees- it’s about managing them like large-scale operations. And for that system to work, you need a proper process.
Follow this flow strictly, especially when working on small holding farmers’ land.
It saves time, reduces plant loss and improves the overall impact of the project.
Want to know how we do this step-by-step? or need help with the implementation work, Connect with our Climate team at sales@anaxee.com
About Anaxee:
Anaxee drives large-scale, country-wide Climate and Carbon Credit projects across India. We specialize in Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) and community-driven initiatives, providing the technology and on-ground network needed to execute, monitor, and ensure transparency in projects like agroforestry, regenerative agriculture, improved cookstoves, solar devices, water filters and more. Our systems are designed to maintain integrity and verifiable impact in carbon methodologies.
Beyond climate, Anaxee is India’s Reach Engine- building the nation’s largest last-mile outreach network of 100,000 Digital Runners (shared, tech-enabled field force). We help corporates, agri-focused companies, and social organizations scale to rural and semi-urban India by executing projects in 26 states, 540+ districts, and 11,000+ pin codes, ensuring both scale and 100% transparency in last-mile operations.
India’s Hidden Carbon Sink: Trees Outside Forests Explained
1. A nine-percent green cushion India can’t ignore
India’s Trees Outside Forests (TOF)- all trees outside the legal forest boundary- already cover 29.38 million ha, 8.94 % of the nation’s landmass. They store an astonishing 2 531.8 million tonnes of carbon, roughly 38 % of all carbon held by India’s forest-and-tree cover . In climate terms, that is India’s single largest “sleeping sink,” soaking up emissions equivalent to the entire annual footprint of the European Union.
Metric
Figure
TOF extent
29.38 M ha
Share of India G.A.
8.94 %
Total carbon stock
2 531.8 Mt
Potential annual timber yield
85.16 million m³
2. Environmental dividends that go far beyond tonnes of CO₂
TOF resources deliver a multi-layered suite of ecological services:
– Soil & water security- tree roots cut erosion and shield watersheds from siltation. – Biodiversity corridors- scattered and block plantations knit fragmented habitats, vital for pollinators and small fauna. – Micro-climate stabilization- canopy cover tempers heat extremes, a blessing for India’s rising urban heat-island index. – Desertification control- windbreaks along canals, roads and farm bunds arrest sand drift in semi-arid belts. – Livelihood resilience- fuelwood, fruit, fodder and timber diversify farm income, backing rural food security.
3. What makes a plantation carbon grade?
We define a carbon-grade tree plantation as one that:
1. Maps to an FSI 5 × 5 km TOF grid, ensuring verifiable baselines.
2. Falls within FSI’s recognized categories—block, linear, scattered, agro-settlement, roadside, rail, canal or wasteland.
3. Uses species with published volume equations (e.g., Mangifera indica, Azadirachta indica).
4. Commits to periodic stock inventory identical to FSI’s methodology, making carbon deltas credit-ready.
Result? Transaction costs plummet and carbon credits become bankable within one verification cycle.
4. Climate-mitigation math you can’t afford to miss
Planting one hectare of mixed-species TOF bunds adds ±80 t CO₂e over 30 years. Scale that across even 10 % of the 43.16 million ha of plantable non-forest land India has identified , and you unlock a future sink of ≈345 Mt CO₂e—a full 14 % of India’s Paris-pledged extra sink by 2030.
5. Where should private capital focus first?
Image Credit- FOREST SURVEY OF INDIA
Site class
Carbon upside
Environmental co-benefit
Data proof
Why corporates?
Culturable wasteland
Highest hectares available
Reclaims degraded soil
FSI wasteland overlays
Land is cheap; CSR-fundable
National / State highways
Linear forest corridors
Road-safety shade + dust buffer
Geo-referenced road layer
Visibility for brand ESG
Rail corridors & sidings
Low conflict footprint
Noise & windbreak
Rail GIS shapefiles
Long-term leases possible
Canal banks
Moisture rich, fast growth
Reduce evaporation
Irrigation dept. maps
Shared maintenance budgets
All four are specifically recommended by the FSI’s plantation approaches to lift carbon stock.
6. Species that maximise both carbon and revenue
Species
Share of rural TOF volume
Added value
Mango (Mangifera indica)
12.7 %
Fruit + timber; cultural icon
Neem (Azadirachta indica)
8.1 %
Bio-pesticide market
Acacia (A. nilotica)
4 %
Durable poles, fodder
Coconut (Cocos nucifera)
3.4 %† urban
Coastal carbon sink
Smart mix: pair high-density mango with nitrogen-fixing acacia for a resilient, carbon-heavy canopy.
7. CSR & private investment: the triple win
India’s Companies Act mandates that 2 % of average net profits flow to CSR. Tree planting is an approved Schedule VII activity. By adopting carbon-grade tree plantations: 1. Emission targets- claim third-party verified removals, not vague “green clubs.” 2. Community goodwill- farmers gain diversified incomes from timber and NTFP yields (annual timber potential hits 85 m m³ nationally). 3. Brand equity- visible, GPS-tagged plantations show up on dashboards that global buyers audit for Scope 3 supply-chain disclosure.
8. Conclusion- plant where the math, the planet and profits align
India’s TOF estate is already a giant carbon sponge. Scale it by even a few million hectares of carbon-grade tree plantations and you create an environmental flywheel: deeper rural livelihoods, cleaner air, cooler cities and a Paris-aligned carbon sink. Corporate CSR boards and global impact investors have a once-in-a-generation chance to write their names- literally- into India’s green map.
Ready to talk hectares, tonnes, and timelines? Reach out to Anaxee Climate Services for a rapid opportunity scan and see where your capital can plant the next climate dividend.
FAQs:
Q. What are Trees Outside Forests? All trees beyond India’s recorded forest area- farm bunds, roadsides, canal banks, rail verges, urban parks and homesteads. Q. How much carbon do they hold now? About 2 531.8 Mt, combining 1 595.7 Mt in forest cover patches and 936.1 Mt in tree cover .
Q. Why “carbon-grade” matters? FSI-aligned plots, species and sampling make credits defensible; buyers pay premiums for transparency (see Section 3 above).
Q. Is extra land really available? Yes—FSI’s NDC study cites 43.16 million ha of plantable area on wasteland, highways, canals and agro-corridors .
Q. Top states to start? Maharashtra (234.6 Mt carbon), Odisha (206.7 Mt), Karnataka (195.3 Mt), Madhya Pradesh (195.9 Mt) and Uttar Pradesh (135.8 Mt) lead the current stock league.
Q. Which species finish projects fastest? Fast-growing poplar for short rotations, but mango and neem balance carbon, cash and co-benefits.
Q. What’s the MRV cost benchmark? Digitised, grid-synced sampling can cut typical field audit budgets by >30 %; Anaxee’s hybrid model leverages existing Digital Runner network (internal data).
Q. Can harvested wood still count? Yes. Harvested wood products continue to store carbon; re-planting keeps the sink net-positive, as reflected in FSI’s potential yield tables.
Q. How soon can CSR boards report impact? Baseline + planting year = Year 0, first growth audit typically in Year 3, credit issuance depends on methodology but early claims (ex-ante) can appear in sustainability reports immediately.
Q. Is this eligible for international finance? Alignment with FSI data and India’s NDC road-map positions projects for Article 6 or voluntary market transactions. Global buyers increasingly prefer removal credits tied to strong national inventories.
Next step? Book a free 30-minute TOF scoping call with Anaxee. We map your landbank, run a carbon forecast and outline an MRV budget in under a week.
Reference: All quantitative data and methodological descriptions are sourced from Forest Survey of India, “Trees Outside Forest Resources in India,” Technical Information Series Volume 2, No 1, 2020
At 25 % forest cover, MP is resource‑rich yet revenue‑poor. Its NTFP sector—Tendu, Mahua, Sal seed—touches 2 million collectors but barely cracks ₹5,000 crore annually. Meanwhile, the same forests stockpile 450 Mt CO₂e that global buyers could pay for. This blog maps the pathway from leaf‑basket to blockchain credit.
1. NTFP Deep Dive – Numbers & Gaps
-Tendu Leaves: 115 M D. melanoxylon trees yield 600,000 tonnes/year. Farm‑gate price ₹5,500/qt; collectors earn <₹150/day.
-Mahua Flowers: 1.9 M Madhuca trees but <40 % harvested—lack of cold‑
-Sal Seed: 9 M tress produce foaming agent worth ₹200 cr, yet middlemen keep 70 % margin.
2. Carbon Gold – Quantifying the Pool
Pool
Stock (Mt CO₂e)
Monetization Route
Above‑ground biomass
220
Improved Forest Management (IFM)
Soil & litter
150
Bio‑char + soil carbon credit
Agro‑silvi belts
80
ARR/AR (afforestation)
At $12/ton, that’s a $5 billion upside over 10 years.
3. Digital MRV – The New Compliance Currency- Carbon buyers demand verifiable data. Anaxee’s Tech for climate offers- Baseline survey, Farmer Onboarding, satellite/polygon mapping, tree counting, geotagging, monitoring etc.
Result: MRV cost drops from $4/ha/year to <$1
4. Case Study – Betul Teak Credit Project
-Area: 12,000 ha community teak. -Intervention: Reduced impact logging + invasive removal. -Outcome: +3.2 tCO₂e/ha/year verified; first issuance 2024 (Gold Standard). -Benefit Sharing: 60 % credit revenue to Joint Forest Committees: avg ₹9,500 per household.
5. Turning Lantana Into Bio‑char Bricks
With 5,914 km² under Lantana camara invasion, MP loses fodder & regeneration. Pyrolysis units convert 1 ton Lantana → 280 kg bio‑char → locks 0.7 tCO₂e. Selling at ₹25/kg gives ₹7,000/ton gross, more than firewood.
6. Mahua 2.0- Cold‑Chain + Blockchain
Solar chillers + RFID sacks preserve flower quality; blockchain ledger proves organic origin. Early pilots in Mandla show 42 % price lift.
7. Financing the Transition
-Green Credit Programme (GoI): Earn credits for invasive removal & tree planting.
-CSR Pool: MP attracted ₹1,800 cr CSR in FY 24—link 10 % to forest livelihoods.
-Carbon Forward Deals: Pre‑sale agreements fund early costs; Anaxee’s platform matches buyers.
8. Policy Wishlist
1- Single‑Window NTFP Transport Passes – cut lead time 50 %. 2- State Carbon Registry – faster project approvals vs national backlog. 3- Outcome‑Based MGNREGS – pay per hectare of verified invasive clearance.
9. Roadmap 2025–30
Year
Milestone
Revenue
2,025
50 Mahua cold‑stores
₹250 cr
2,026
100,000 ha IFM carbon projects
$30 M
2,027
Lantana‑bio‑char scale to 1 Mt biomass
₹700 cr
2,030
State Forest Economy hits
₹20,000 cr
Conclusion
The forest fringe of Madhya Pradesh is rich but cash‑starved. By coupling NTFP value‑chain upgrades with verified carbon credits, and anchoring both in transparent digital MRV, the state can unlock a new green economy. Anaxee’s Climate tech & runner network is the catalyst. Time to turn Mahua into money—and carbon into community capital. Connect With us sales@anaxee.com today.
Total Forest Cover:77,073 km²- a quarter (≈ 25 %) of the state’s 308,252 km² landscape.
Inside RFA vs Outside: 67,770 km² lies inside recorded forest area, while 9,303 km² sits on revenue & private lands.
Canopy Classes: 7,021 km² Very Dense, 33,509 km² Moderately Dense, 36,543 km² Open Forest.
Net Two‑Year Change (2021→2023): +417 km² VDF, –310 km² MDF, –134 km² OF inside RFA—showing densification in key blocks.
Takeaway: MP added dense green core even as some medium‑density tracts opened up—likely selective harvesting + rapid teak/sal regrowth.
2. Winners & Losers: District Signals
A quick scan of 52 districts shows mixed fortunes — Balaghat, Chhindwara and Betul hold >50 % forest cover, while Bhind and Datia remain below 10 %. Eastern districts (Sidhi, Singrauli) gained canopy after community teak protection, whereas western Malwa lost patch forests to soy expansion.
3. What’s Growing Where – Forest‑Type Mosaic
Dry deciduous formations dominate: Dry Teak (21,715 km², 27 %) and Southern Dry Mixed Deciduous (19,581 km², 24 %) head the list. Moist Sal pockets (~2,747 km²) in the east are critical climate refugia.
Why it matters: Teak builds commercial volume fast; Sal locks dense carbon but burns easily when litter dries—dual management needed.
4. Fire: The Elephant in the Sal Forest
Nearly 33 % of MP’s woods fall in “Highly” or worse fire‑prone bands; another 49 % is “Less fire prone” fileciteturn3file8. The 2024 heatwave pushed fire alerts above 18,000. Hotspots: Shahdol‑Umaria belt (Sal litter) and Ratapani‑Sehore teak ridges.
5. Species, Biomass & Carbon Treasure
Segment
Top Species
Trees (‘000)
Volume (Mm³)
RFA
Tectona grandis
348,017
62
Shorea robusta
153,943
62.2
Rural
Butea monosperma
76,206
16.6
Acacia nilotica
47,313
9.9
Urban
Azadirachta indica
1,758
1.25
These numbers translate to >450 Mt CO₂e stored—a prime pool for carbon credits if monitored right.
6. NTFP Economy – The Tendu & Mahua Story
Tendu Leaves: 115 million trees of Diospyros melanoxylon—₹700 cr annual trade.
Mahua & Sal Seed: 9 M trees offer $200 M untapped nutraceutical value.
Digital traceability could raise collector income by 30 % through direct buyer links.
7. The Invasion We Ignore
Lantana camara carpets 5,914 km²—more than Goa’s area—choking teak regeneration. Drones + community removal credits can flip this liability into livelihood.
8. Carbon & ESG Playbook for 2025–30
Dense‑Patch Carbon Projects: Target 417 km² of new VDF for premium credits.
Fire‑Resilient Buffer Belts: Neem + Bamboo rings around Sal stands—backed by Green Credit funding.
Bottom line: Madhya Pradesh sits on a green goldmine- dense teak, carbon‑rich Sal and a people‑centric NTFP economy. Digitization is the accelerator. Let’s put the “heart” of India at the heart of climate action. To know more connect with sales@anaxee.com.
Agroforestry & TOF Boom: What ISFR 2023 Reveals About India’s Tree Outside Forest Revolution
Image Credit- FOREST SURVEY OF INDIA
Introduction
Trees Outside Forests (TOF) and agroforestry have emerged as silent powerhouses of India’s green strategy. While forests get the headlines, TOF and agroforestry are doing the heavy lifting when it comes to carbon capture, livelihood support, and rural resilience.
According to the ISFR 2023, TOF contributes 37.11% to India’s total forest and tree cover. This is a game-changing insight.
1. TOF by the Numbers
TOF extent: 30.70 million hectares (37.11% of total green cover). Top states in TOF cover: Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh. Tree cover increase: +1,289.4 sq. km from 2021, largely due to TOF.
Agroforestry and TOF expansion is being driven by farmer participation, CSR-backed plantation, and policy shifts like the National Agroforestry Policy (2014).
2. Agroforestry’s Carbon Value
Total Agroforestry tree cover: 1,27,590.05 sq. km Carbon stock under agroforestry: 1,291.68 million m3 Carbon increase since 2013: +286.94 M m3 (28.56%)
The ISFR 2023 data proves agroforestry is no longer just a soil and livelihood measure. It’s now a carbon sink tool for India’s NDC targets and the voluntary carbon market.
These species serve multiple markets: pulp & paper, fruit, timber, and carbon offset.
Use cases:
Bund plantations in smallholder farms Agroforestry corridors on degraded land Canal-side and railway-side tree belts
4. State-Level Innovation
Maharashtra leads in TOF growing stock (213.93 M m3) Uttar Pradesh excels in bund-based agroforestry Odisha integrates agroforestry with MNREGS
Many of these gains are community-driven and CSR-supported.
5. Why Corporates Should Act Now
India is short of afforestation-ready forest land. TOF offers a scalable alternative for CSR and ESG investment. Bund agroforestry can be implemented at low cost, with fast results and carbon credits.
Early movers in TOF carbon projects can establish leadership in climate finance.
Conclusion: Time to Go Beyond the Forest
TOF and agroforestry are not fringe practices- they’re central to India’s climate strategy. With rising carbon stock, farmer buy-in, and government policy alignment, this is the space where private players can act, invest, and lead.
For climate-conscious companies and institutions, Trees Outside Forests is the new frontier. And Anaxee is already building the infrastructure to digitize and drive this revolution, To know how connect at sales@anaxee.com
India’s Forest Cover in 2023- Winners, Losers & What It Means for Climate Action
Introduction
India’s forests are more than ecological spaces—they’re climate shields, biodiversity hubs, and livelihoods for millions. Every two years, the India State of Forest Report (ISFR) becomes the definitive pulse check on the nation’s green wealth. The 2023 report and the numbers speak of both triumph and challenge.
This blog unpacks the biggest winners and losers in forest cover change, pinpoints state-wise shifts, and explores what it all means for climate resilience and India’s carbon commitments.
1. The Big Picture:Forest & Tree Cover Status
Total forest cover: 7,15,342.61 sq. km (21.76% of India’s geographical area).
Total tree cover: 1,12,014.34 sq. km (3.41%).
Combined forest and tree cover: 8,27,356.95 sq. km (25.17%).
Net increase from 2021: +1,445.81 sq. km
While the forest cover rose modestly by 156.41 sq. km, the tree cover surged by 1,289.4 sq. km, largely driven by Trees Outside Forests (TOF) and agroforestry efforts.
2. Top Gainers in Forest & Tree Cover
a. Chhattisgarh: +683.62 sq. km
Agroforestry expansion, community forestry models, and decentralized planning drove growth.
b. Uttar Pradesh: +559.19 sq. km
Massive increase in TOF due to agroforestry and rural greening initiatives.
c. Odisha: +558.57 sq. km
Coastal afforestation and community plantation programs contributed.
d. Rajasthan: +394.46 sq. km
Surprising gain, mostly from TOF and canal-side plantation models.
3. Top Losers in Forest & Tree Cover
a. Madhya Pradesh: -612.41 sq. km
Despite being the greenest state by area, MP saw declines from encroachment and shifting land use.
b. Karnataka: -459.36 sq. km
Urbanization, infrastructure expansion, and grazing pressures cited.
c. Ladakh: -159.26 sq. km
Harsh climatic zones with decreasing snowline affecting natural vegetation.
d. Nagaland: -125.22 sq. km
Shifting cultivation and forest degradation are leading causes.
4. Why These Shifts Matter for Climate
India has committed under the Paris Agreement to create an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent through forest and tree cover by 2030. While incremental gains are positive, they are not yet transformational.
India set its target to achieve Emission Intensity of GDP 33-35% below 2005 levels by 2030, Power capacity to 40% non fossil fuel based.
Losses in key biodiversity zones (like Northeastern states) threaten both climate adaptation and mitigation strategies. Forests are not just carbon sinks but also temperature regulators and rainmakers.
5. Urban Forest Trends
Mega-cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru are now monitored separately. Urban greening efforts are rising, but pollution and urban sprawl pose continued threats.
6. Policy Tools and Community Participation
CAMPA funds, MGNREGS, and State Green Missions are pivotal.
Joint Forest Management (JFM) and Van Panchayats show results where implemented with transparency.
7. The Anaxee Perspective: Digitizing India’s Forest Revolution
Anaxee, with its rural network and tech stack, can:
Conduct real-time forest monitoring using digital apps.
Geotag tree plantations and track survival rates.
Mobilize local communities to safeguard TOF regions.
By making afforestation traceable and verifiable, Anaxee can enhance forest-based carbon credit readiness.
Conclusion: What Lies Ahead?
The ISFR 2023 is a mixed bag. Gains in states like Chhattisgarh and Odisha are promising. However, net losses in forest cover in several ecological hotspots signal the need for urgent action.
Digitally monitored and community-led forestry holds the key. India can still meet its carbon sink targets, but it will require scale, transparency, and innovation- something Anaxee is already building on. if you need more knowledge about these agroforestry in India, Connect with sales@anaxee.com
Indian corporates have turned Trees Outside Forests (TOF) from a policy footnote into a frontline climate-mitigation tool. Below we dissect five of the largest private TOF programmes launched or scaled in the last five years, showing where they operate, how many trees they have already put in the ground, who implements them—and, crucially, what kind of digitisation is keeping auditors happy and carbon-credit buyers confident.
1. The Scorecard at a Glance
2. Why These Projects Matter for Climate & CSR
Carbon-grade potential – All five initiatives fit at least one of the nine TOF categories recognized by the Forest Survey of India, making their biomass additions “credit-ready” when paired with proper monitoring.
Scale & replication – Together they account for >1.4 billion new trees, roughly 55 % of India’s annual timber demand in standing stock.
Digital traceability – Geo-tagged saplings, virtual adoption portals and FSC-linked databases cut MRV costs by 30-50 %, a critical lever for smallholder aggregation.
3. Mini-Case Files:
3.1 ITC – From Pulpwood to Carbon Sink Started 2001; turbo-scaled post-2020
Model: Bund and block plantations supplying pulpwood, energy wood and fruit; farmers receive premium clones.
Scale levers: In-house clonal R&D and guaranteed buy-back plus open-market option.
Digital twist: FSC chain-of-custody tags every plot; satellite dashboards flag survival anomalies weekly.
Why copy?: Proven economics—farmers net ₹60-80 k per 4-year cycle without losing cropping space.
3.2 Mahindra Hariyali – Geo-Tagging at Farmer Level Launched 2007; 5 M trees/yr pledge to 2026
Digitization: Drone survival audits and partner-level geo-tag reporting baked into grant agreements.
Status: 1.33 M trees locked in; 670 k more budgeted—ample room for third-party carbon-credit structuring.
4. What We’re Learning About “Carbon-Grade” Execution
Data before digging – Projects that lock baselines to the FSI 5 × 5 km grids sail through external validation faster.
Traceability beats volume claims – Geo-tagging + photo time-stamps win buyer confidence even at modest scale (see Axis & Mahindra examples).
Partnerships matter – Corporates rarely plant alone; NGOs like BAIF, Grow Billion Trees, SeSTA turn CSR cheques into rooted saplings on schedule.
Virtual engagement raises money – Tata Power and Reliance’s public dashboards attracted employee and retail-donor micro-funds—an untapped pool for TOF.
Interested in making your next CSR rupee generate verified carbon credits? Book a 30-minute feasibility scan with Anaxee Climate Services.
India’s Trees Outside Forests: Why Corporates Should Lead the Carbon-Grade Plantation Wave
Credit- FOREST SURVEY OF INDIA
1. A snapshot of an overlooked green giant
India’s Trees Outside Forests (TOF)- all trees growing beyond the legal forest boundary- span 29.38 million ha, or 8.94 % of the nation’s landmass. TOF is bigger than the combined geographical area of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, yet it rarely appears in board-room climate discussions.
State / UT
TOF area (km²)
% of state GA
Insight
Maharashtra
26 945
8.76 %
Largest absolute scope for projects
Odisha
23 458
15.1 %
High carbon density
Karnataka
22 361
11.66 %
Agroforestry hotspot
Kerala
14 443
37.17 %
Highest share among states
Goa
1 335
36.05 %
Model for coastal micro-projects
2. The climate jackpot hidden in farm bunds and city parks
The latest Forest Survey of India (FSI) estimate puts total carbon stock in TOF at 2 531.8 million tonnes—roughly 38 % of all carbon held by India’s forests and tree cover combined. Five states alone account for nearly a third of that stock (see Figure 10 & 11).Parallel to climate value lies a potential annual timber yield of 85 million m³, with Maharashtra (10.60 m m³/yr), Uttar Pradesh (7.47) and Karnataka (6.28) topping the chart. Corporations looking for sustainable raw-material sourcing can therefore align revenue with restoration.
3. From village surveys to 5 × 5 km grids—why the new FSI methodology matters
FSI’s assessment design has evolved from village inventories (1991-2000) to uniform 5 × 5 km grids with a 10-year cycle. Each grid is sampled for rural and urban TOF, stratifying trees into block, linear and scattered formations. This grid-based map is decision-ready for carbon accounting because:
Every sample plot is GPS-tagged.
Biomass equations convert stem volume to carbon stock by density class.
We coin the term “carbon grade tree plantation” to describe any TOF expansion that:
Uses FSI-accepted biomass factors for ex-ante carbon estimation;
Aligns with at least one of the nine TOF categories (farm forestry, block plantation, roadside windbreaks, canal-side strips, rail verges, pond banks, homesteads, woodlots, “others”);
Demonstrates monitoring compatibility with the 5 × 5 km grid inventory;
Targets species with proven high carbon volume—e.g., Mango (12.7 % of rural TOF volume) or Neem (8.06 %).
Carbon grade plantations are thus “credit-ready by design”, shortening the verification runway and attracting finance.
5. Why private entities and CSR funds must step up
Government alone cannot green 29 million ha—yet FSI estimates 43.16 million ha of additional land is technically plantable without displacing food production. Three levers make corporates indispensable:
Regulatory nudge: India’s Companies Act mandates 2 % of average net profit be spent on CSR. Tree planting under Schedule VII already qualifies.
Supply-chain security: Timber demand for panels and packaging is rising; TOF offers a local, legally clear alternative to imports.
Reputation dividends: Verified carbon credits from carbon grade tree plantations can anchor science-based net-zero claims.
Plantation: Select species from the dominant 20 list; their volume equations are published (e.g., Mangifera indica equation 13).
Monitoring: Repeat sampling follows the same density classes (VDF/MDF/OF).
Verification: Project carbon is the delta between new inventory and baseline—no external datasets needed.
Note: While FSI does not quote market prices, each additional tonne strengthens India’s NDC commitment; corporates can claim impact without speculating on carbon value.
7. Aligning with the Government’s TOF push
The Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change is betting on TOF to deliver the 2.5-3 Gt CO₂-eq additional sink by 2030 pledged under the Paris Agreement. Private “carbon grade tree plantations” help in four ways:
Scale: CSR capital co-finances large contiguous grids.
Granularity: Philanthropic funds can target homesteads and scattered trees often missed by public schemes.
Data sharing: Industry-funded inventories can feed back into FSI’s 10-year cycle, improving national estimates.
Innovation: Tech platforms- such as Anaxee’s Digital Runners- can digitize field data collection, lowering transaction costs.
8. Action checklist for corporates
Choose geography using Table 2 and carbon-stock maps.
Match CSR theme (climate, rural, urban) to a TOF category.
Design carbon grade plantation with species–site fit (see Section 4).
Embed MRV: align plot layout with FSI grid geometry.
Register credits under a recognized methodology (e.g., upcoming Indian Carbon Registry) once growth is measurable.
Frequently Asked Questions About TOF:
Q1. What exactly is Trees Outside Forests (TOF)? TOF includes all trees growing outside the Recorded Forest Area- on farms, roadsides, canals, homesteads, city parks, etc. It covers formations larger than 1 ha as well as scattered individuals.
Q2. How extensive is India’s TOF? FSI’s first nationwide assessment (ISFR 2019) pegs TOF at 29.38 million ha (8.94 % of India’s land).
Q3. What is a “carbon grade tree plantation”? It’s a plantation designed from day one to fit FSI biomass factors, fall under one of nine recognized TOF categories, and align with grid-based monitoring—making it immediately suitable for verified carbon credits (see Section 4 above).
Q4. Which species deliver the highest carbon returns? In rural TOF, Mango (12.7 % of total volume) and Neem (8.06 %) lead the pack. Coconut and Areca dominate in urban grids.
Q5. How does FSI calculate carbon stock? FSI multiplies forest-cover area in each density class by per-hectare carbon factors derived from sample-plot biomass; tree-cover carbon uses crown-width-based plot data. Summing both gives total TOF carbon.
Q6. Are urban trees really counted? Yes. Urban Frame Survey (UFS) blocks are sampled separately; Cocos nucifera tops the urban list at 17.19 % of trees.
Q7. What role can CSR budgets play? Schedule VII of the Companies Act already lists “environmental sustainability” as an eligible activity. Funding carbon grade tree plantations satisfies CSR spend while generating measurable climate and livelihood outcomes.
Q8. How much land is still available for planting? FSI’s NDC study (2019) identified 43.16 million ha of plantable land across wastelands, highways, canals and agroforestry corridors.
Q9. Does timber harvest conflict with carbon goals? Not necessarily. FSI’s potential annual yield table (85 m m³ nationally) shows managed harvests; harvested wood products can continue to store carbon, and re-planting keeps the cycle climate-positive .
Q10. How can a company start today? Identify a priority district, partner with an implementation specialist (e.g., Anaxee), map existing TOF grids, and design a plantation plan that meets carbon grade criteria. Early movers will gain both CSR recognition and a head-start on India’s emerging carbon-credit marketplace.
References
All statistics, tables and methodological details are drawn from Forest Survey of India, “Trees Outside Forest Resources in India,” Technical Information Series Vol. 2 No. 1, 2020 For more information you can connect with Anaxee at sales@anaxee.com
Native Trees with Maximum Climate & Biodiversity Pay-off
India’s new agroforestry wave is no longer about exotic fast-growers alone. 2025 buyers want high-integrity, native plantings that store carbon fast and rebuild local ecosystems. Field trials show that shifting from conventional cropland to tree-crop systems raises on-farm carbon stocks by about 25 % within a decade.
Why “native + high-carbon” matters – Carbon revenue – Buyers pay a premium for credits backed by robust, long-term biomass data. – Biodiversity – Native host plants bring pollinators, pest predators and under-storey herbs back, improving yield stability. – Regulatory head-room – India’s forthcoming Carbon Credit Trading Scheme rewards “Nature-based Solutions” over pure timber blocks.
Seedlings 20 – 40 cm tall, planted at first SW monsoon rains (Jun) (forest.kerala.gov.in)
*Indicative; actual tonnes depend on spacing, soil and management.
Planting Calendar Hot-spots: 1. Nursery prep ends by March – allows hardening before peak heat.First rains (June) – mass out-planting across most states; root-shock is lowest. 2. Post-monsoon (Sept-Oct) – gap-filling for casualties; suitable for hardy species in high-rain areas. 3. Teak and Melia respond poorly to water-logging, so avoid low-lying pits. Neem and Khejri survive long dry spells, making them ideal boundary trees in semi-arid zones.
Take-aways for Project Developers – Pick regionally adapted natives first – they survive, store more carbon and pass Verra/BIO PD free-rider tests. – Sync field work with monsoon to cut irrigation costs by up to 40 %. – Embed biodiversity metrics (e.g., pollinator counts, fodder yield) in your D-MRV to secure premium buyers. – Leverage digital runners – Anaxee’s on-ground network can census seedlings, geotag plots and push smartphone surveys, slashing MRV overheads.
Combined, these steps position your agroforestry project for higher-integrity, higher-priced carbon credits- exactly what the 2025 market rewards. To know more connect with sales@anaxee.com
Planning a tree plantation project under the Verra VM0047 methodology? Whether you’re a project developer, verifier, or forestry consultant, having robust Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) is essential. SOPs help you meet carbon accounting requirements, improve field performance, and build audit-ready documentation.
In this guide, we break down all 23 SOPs required under VM0047 for agroforestry projects—covering everything from species selection and pit digging to remote sensing and leakage monitoring.
Why SOPs Matter in VM0047 Projects
VM0047 is Verra’s methodology for afforestation, reforestation, and agroforestry projects. Unlike traditional afforestation, agroforestry under VM0047 involves planting on farm boundaries or degraded plots managed by smallholder farmers.
To ensure transparency, permanence, and verifiability of carbon credits, SOPs are essential. They standardize your operations and provide traceable documentation across monitoring periods and verification audits.
Summary of the 23 VM0047 SOPs (Grouped by Stage)
🌱 Planning & Nursery Stage
SOP 1: Species & Provenance Selection- Ensures native, non-invasive, and regionally appropriate species.
SOP 20: Data QA/QC & Archiving- Ensures traceability of all field data.
SOP 21: Community Engagement & FPIC- Stakeholder consent and grievance redressal.
SOP 22: Worker Health & Safety- Field compliance and safety logs.
SOP 23: Training & Competency Verification- Ensures SOP understanding among field staff.
Final Thoughts
Implementing a tree plantation project under VM0047 is no small feat- but with a robust SOP system in place, you are already halfway to project integrity and carbon success. These 23 SOPs are not just tools; they are your pathway to verifiable climate impact.
Whether you’re registering a new agroforestry project or scaling existing bundles, start here, build SOP compliance from the ground up, and let your trees grow with carbon value embedded at the root.
We hope this info will help you in tree plantation under VM0047, If you Need help implementing these SOPs on the ground? Reach out to our team at sales@anaxee.com for expert field support and digital execution.
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