Trees are one of the most iconic symbols of climate action. They pull carbon from the atmosphere, provide oxygen, restore biodiversity, and improve livelihoods. Afforestation (planting trees where none existed) and reforestation (restoring degraded forests) together are known as ARR projects.
Globally, ARR is one of the most widely adopted pathways in carbon markets. In India, with its vast degraded lands and dependence on agriculture and forests, ARR has immense potential.
But ARR also faces heavy scrutiny. Many projects promise more than they deliver: trees that never survive, monoculture plantations that harm biodiversity, or communities left out of benefits.
The 2025 Criteria for High-Quality CDR stress that ARR projects must be measured, durable, and just. That’s where Anaxee steps in—with last-mile reach, dMRV tools, and community-first models.
What Is ARR (Afforestation and Reforestation)?
ARR projects include:
-Afforestation: Establishing forests on land that has not been forested for decades.
-Reforestation: Restoring forests on degraded or recently deforested lands.
-Agroforestry & Bund Plantations: Integrating trees into farms, hedges, and bunds.
Done right, ARR not only removes carbon but delivers ecosystem resilience, biodiversity, and livelihoods.
Why ARR Matters for India
1. Huge Degraded Land Base
India has over 30 million hectares of degraded land—an untapped opportunity for carbon removal and ecosystem restoration.
2. Rural Livelihoods
Tree planting provides fuel, fodder, fruits, and timber—direct benefits for farmers and communities. With carbon finance, ARR becomes a long-term income stream.
3. Climate Targets
India’s NDCs under the Paris Agreement call for creating an additional 2.5–3 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalent carbon sink by 2030 through forests and trees. ARR is central to this goal.
What Makes High-Quality ARR Projects?
The 2025 Criteria define key principles:
1. Social and Environmental Justice
-Avoid land grabs.
-Secure community consent and benefits.
-Respect Indigenous rights and cultural landscapes.
2. Biodiversity and Ecosystem Integrity
-No monoculture plantations in natural ecosystems.
-Native species, mixed forests, and landscape restoration.
3. Additionality and Baselines
-Projects must prove trees would not have grown without carbon finance.
-Conservative baselines for carbon stock.
4. MRV and Transparency
-Geotagged planting data.
-Satellite and ground verification.
-Independent third-party audits.
5. Durability
-Fire, drought, pests—ARR faces reversal risks. Projects must plan long-term maintenance and insurance buffers.
6. Leakage Control
-Ensure planting here doesn’t drive deforestation elsewhere.
The Challenges of ARR
-Low Survival Rates: Many plantation drives see <30% survival after a few years.
-Monocultures: Quick-growing species like eucalyptus harm ecosystems.
-Short-Termism: Projects collapse after initial funding.
-Community Exclusion: Farmers and locals often see no benefits.
This is why ARR projects face skepticism. To be credible, they must deliver quality, not just quantity.
Anaxee’s Approach to High-Quality ARR
Anaxee ensures ARR projects meet global standards while delivering local value.
1. Last-Mile Reach
-40,000+ Digital Runners mobilize communities across 26 states.
-Farmers are trained and incentivized for long-term tree care.
-Projects aligned with Verra (ARR methodologies), Gold Standard, and 2025 Criteria.
-Buyers receive auditable, traceable credits.
Case Example: Bund Plantations in Madhya Pradesh
Anaxee has pioneered bund plantations—trees planted along farm bunds:
-Carbon Removal: Sequesters carbon in biomass + soils.
-Farmer Benefits: Provides fodder, shade, and reduced erosion.
-Traceability: Each tree is geotagged and tracked in dMRV.
-Durability: Farmers protect trees because they share in revenue.
This model combines climate action, community income, and transparent reporting—a blueprint for scaling ARR in India.
India’s Global ARR Opportunity
Global buyers are looking for high-quality ARR credits:
-Microsoft, Shell, and major corporates invest in forest carbon.
-ARR credits trade actively in voluntary markets.
-Compliance markets (like India’s CCTS) may also integrate ARR soon.
If ARR in India meets quality benchmarks, it can:
-Unlock billions in carbon finance.
-Restore degraded landscapes.
-Create millions of rural jobs.
Scaling ARR: Quality over Hype
The world has seen too many “plant a billion trees” campaigns with little impact. The future is not about numbers—it’s about verified, durable, community-led ARR projects.
Scaling ARR requires:
-Quality-first design.
-Digital MRV for transparency.
-Farmer and community partnerships.
-Long-term management and durability planning.
Anaxee is building exactly this system in India.
Conclusion: Planting Trust Alongside Trees
ARR has the potential to be India’s most powerful carbon removal tool. But only if done right. The 2025 Criteria for High-Quality CDR provide the guardrails.
Anaxee ensures ARR projects are transparent, durable, and community-driven. By planting trust alongside trees, we create climate solutions that endure.
👉 Call to Action Partner with Anaxee to build high-quality afforestation and reforestation projects in India. Together, we can restore ecosystems, empower communities, and deliver credible carbon removals. Connect with us at sales@anaxee.com
Anaxee Digital Runners Private Limited 303, Right-wing, (use Lift#1) New IT Park Building 3rd floor, Pardesi Pura Main Rd, Electronic Complex, Sukhlia, Indore,
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