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Limited effects of tree planting on forest canopy cover and rural livelihoods in Northern India

Author

Listed:
  • Eric A. Coleman

    (Florida State University)

  • Bill Schultz

    (University of Chicago)

  • Vijay Ramprasad

    (Centre for Ecology Development and Research
    Kangra Integrated Sciences and Adaptation Network)

  • Harry Fischer

    (Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences)

  • Pushpendra Rana

    (Indian Forest Service)

  • Anthony M. Filippi

    (Texas A&M University)

  • Burak Güneralp

    (Texas A&M University)

  • Andong Ma

    (Texas A&M University)

  • Claudia Rodriguez Solorzano

    (University of Minnesota)

  • Vijay Guleria

    (Kangra Integrated Sciences and Adaptation Network)

  • Rajesh Rana

    (Kangra Integrated Sciences and Adaptation Network)

  • Forrest Fleischman

    (University of Minnesota)

Abstract

Many countries have adopted large-scale tree planting programmes as a climate mitigation strategy and to support local livelihoods. We evaluate a series of large-scale tree planting programmes using data collected from historical Landsat imagery in the state of Himachal Pradesh in Northern India. Using this panel dataset, we use an event study design to estimate the socioeconomic and biophysical impacts over decades of these programmes. We find that tree plantings have not, on average, increased the proportion of forest canopy cover and have modestly shifted forest composition away from the broadleaf varieties valued by local people. Further cross-sectional analysis, from a household livelihood survey, shows that tree planting supports little direct use by local people. We conclude that decades of expensive tree planting programmes in this region have not proved effective. This result suggests that large-scale tree planting may sometimes fail to achieve its climate mitigation and livelihood goals.

Suggested Citation

  • Eric A. Coleman & Bill Schultz & Vijay Ramprasad & Harry Fischer & Pushpendra Rana & Anthony M. Filippi & Burak Güneralp & Andong Ma & Claudia Rodriguez Solorzano & Vijay Guleria & Rajesh Rana & Forre, 2021. "Limited effects of tree planting on forest canopy cover and rural livelihoods in Northern India," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 4(11), pages 997-1004, November.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natsus:v:4:y:2021:i:11:d:10.1038_s41893-021-00761-z
    DOI: 10.1038/s41893-021-00761-z
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    Cited by:

    1. Merk, Christine & Liebe, Ulf & Meyerhoff, Jürgen & Rehdanz, Katrin, 2023. "German citizens’ preference for domestic carbon dioxide removal by afforestation is incompatible with national removal potential," Open Access Publications from Kiel Institute for the World Economy 270884, Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW Kiel).
    2. Afonso, Roberta & Miller, Daniel C., 2021. "Forest plantations and local economic development: Evidence from Minas Gerais, Brazil," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 133(C).
    3. Katharina Schulze & Žiga Malek & Dmitry Schepaschenko & Myroslava Lesiv & Steffen Fritz & Peter H. Verburg, 2023. "Pantropical distribution of short-rotation woody plantations: spatial probabilities under current and future climate," Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, Springer, vol. 28(5), pages 1-22, June.
    4. Rana, Pushpendra & Fleischman, Forrest & Ramprasad, Vijay & Lee, Kangjae, 2022. "Predicting wasteful spending in tree planting programs in Indian Himalaya," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 154(C).
    5. T. B. White & S. O. Petrovan & L. A. Bennun & T. Butterworth & A. P. Christie & H. Downey & S. B. Hunter & B. R. Jobson & S. O. S. E. zu Ermgassen & W. J. Sutherland, 2023. "Principles for using evidence to improve biodiversity impact mitigation by business," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 32(7), pages 4719-4733, November.
    6. S. Krithi, 2021. "State, Labour and Emerging Natural Resource Regimes: A Case Study of Forest- Based Livelihoods in Chamba, Himachal Pradesh," Journal of South Asian Development, , vol. 16(3), pages 433-454, December.

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