Abstract ID: 3.13374 | Accepted as Talk | Talk | TBA | TBA

With the consequences of climate change (CC) becoming increasingly menacing, the need for effective approaches for its timely mitigation is crucial. The situation has worsened with increased carbon emissions due to continuous deforestation and forest degradation (D&FD). Forests are vulnerable to degradation as they provide several products like fuel-wood, fodder, etc. to the communities. Temperate forests in Indo-Himalayan region are particularly important to maintain the Himalayan eco-system that is crucial for climatic and water security of the plains of Northern India. The study aims to estimate baseline carbon stock of temperate forests of Indo-Himalayan region, status of D&FD using GIS and identifying the drivers of D&FD in the study area. Estimation of the overall carbon stock for the study area was found to be around 195.60 million tonnes. LULUCF and status of D&FD was studied using remote sensing and GIS. The study indicated a decrease in forest cover, water availability and snow cover and showed an increase in the agriculture and settlement areas reflecting degradation of the forest area. A detailed household survey and stakeholder workshop was executed to identify the drivers of D&FD and understanding the socio-economic status and dependency on forests. Analytical Hierarchical Programming was used to give weights to the drivers of D&FD. The main drivers identified were encroachment, developmental activities, illicit-felling, over-lopping and fuel-wood collection and forest fires. The solutions to combat D&FD are alternate and sustainable livelihood opportunities, unconventional energy sources and community involvement in combating forest fires.