Previous Year Question

REDD+ means reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries.

Its ‘plus’ component includes conservation of forest carbon stocks, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks.

The UN-REDD Programme was launched in 2008 as a joint initiative of FAO, UNDP and UNEP.

It assists developing countries in building national REDD+ strategies, institutional capacity and forest-monitoring systems.

Forest conservation protects natural habitats and the plant and animal species living in them.

Therefore, a properly implemented REDD+ programme can contribute to biodiversity conservation.

Conserving natural and species-diverse forests can enhance the ability of ecosystems to withstand climate change, fires, pests and other disturbances.

Restoration of degraded forests, sustainable forest management and enhancement of forest carbon stocks strengthen the resilience of forest ecosystems.

Local and indigenous communities may depend on forests for food, fuel, fodder, medicines and livelihoods.

With equitable benefit-sharing, community participation and protection of forest rights, REDD+ can increase local income and employment.

Therefore, a properly designed REDD+ programme can also contribute to poverty reduction.

Results-based payments can provide economic incentives for forest conservation.

Effective implementation requires transparent governance, measurement and verification of forest carbon, and social and environmental safeguards.

In the absence of safeguards, there may be risks of community displacement, loss of rights and unequal distribution of benefits; therefore, ‘proper design’ in the question is important.

REDD+ is not merely a tree-plantation programme; it focuses on preventing deforestation and forest degradation while protecting forest carbon and ecosystem services.

Therefore, biodiversity protection, resilience of forest ecosystems and poverty reduction are all correct.