Question
Which one of the following is the first Plan Vivo certified Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) project in India?
AUttarakhand REDD+ project
BICFRE-ICIMOD Transboundary REDD+ project in North-Eastern Himalayas
CKhasi Hills Community REDD+ project ✓
DSikkim Mamley Kamrang Community REDD+ project
The Khasi Hills Community REDD+ Project — Full Profile
🌿 Khasi Hills Community REDD+ Project — India’s Pioneer Forest Carbon Initiative
What makes it special: The project is managed by a federation of 10 indigenous Khasi tribal kingdoms (himas), locally called a Synjuk. It is entirely community-owned and managed — not a state or corporate initiative. It operates under the matrilineal Khasi traditional governance system and Meghalaya’s Sixth Schedule autonomous district council framework.
What it does: Uses REDD+ to protect existing dense forests and ancient indigenous sacred groves + Assisted Natural Regeneration (ANR) to restore degraded open forests. Also establishes women-run microfinance institutions and 48 self-help groups.
Why Plan Vivo? Plan Vivo is the world’s original community carbon standard — specifically designed for indigenous, community-led land use projects. It is the only standard under which communities can directly receive carbon payments without intermediaries.
2011 / 2013Launched 2011 · Plan Vivo certified 2013
27,000 haCloud forest protected and restored
86 villages40,978+ people across 10 Khasi kingdoms
1.5 M tonnesCO₂ emissions avoided to date
East Khasi HillsMeghalaya · Umiam River watershed
First in India& one of Asia’s first REDD+ projects
What it does: Uses REDD+ to protect existing dense forests and ancient indigenous sacred groves + Assisted Natural Regeneration (ANR) to restore degraded open forests. Also establishes women-run microfinance institutions and 48 self-help groups.
Why Plan Vivo? Plan Vivo is the world’s original community carbon standard — specifically designed for indigenous, community-led land use projects. It is the only standard under which communities can directly receive carbon payments without intermediaries.
Why Options A, B, D Are Wrong
A ✗
Uttarakhand REDD+ project: Uttarakhand has engaged in REDD+ readiness and pilot initiatives by ICFRE (Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education), focusing on carbon inventory and capacity building. It does NOT hold Plan Vivo certification and is not the first REDD+ project in India.
B ✗
ICFRE-ICIMOD Transboundary REDD+ project: This is a research/readiness collaboration between ICFRE and ICIMOD (International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development) for the North-Eastern Himalayas. It is a research initiative — NOT a Plan Vivo certified project.
D ✗
Sikkim Mamley Kamrang Community REDD+ project: A newer community-led REDD+ initiative in the Mamley watershed of South Sikkim for ecosystem resilience. It came after the Khasi Hills project and does NOT hold the title of first Plan Vivo certified REDD+ project in India.
Key Concepts — REDD+ and Plan Vivo
🌲 What is REDD+?
Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation — a UN-backed climate mechanism that incentivises developing countries to reduce GHG emissions from deforestation and forest degradation. The “+” stands for the role of conservation, sustainable forest management, and enhancement of forest carbon stocks. Countries/communities earn carbon credits for avoiding deforestation.
📋 What is Plan Vivo Standard?
The world’s original voluntary community carbon standard — established 1994. Specifically designed for community-led and smallholder land use projects. Issues “Plan Vivo Certificates” (carbon credits). Emphasises: measurable carbon benefits + sustainable development co-benefits + community benefit-sharing. Fair-trade-styled framework. Khasi Hills was the first Indian project to receive Plan Vivo certification.
Khasi Hills REDD+ — Complete Fact Sheet
| Parameter | Detail |
| Full name | Khasi Hills Community REDD+ Project |
| Distinction | India’s FIRST Plan Vivo certified REDD+ project · One of Asia’s first REDD+ projects |
| Location | East Khasi Hills District, Meghalaya · Umiam River watershed · Global biodiversity hotspot |
| Launch/Certification | Launched 2011 · Plan Vivo certified 2013 |
| Forest area | 27,000 hectares of subtropical cloud forest protected and restored |
| Governance | Federation of 10 indigenous Khasi kingdoms (himas) = Synjuk · Matrilineal governance · Sixth Schedule autonomous district council |
| Communities | 86 villages · 40,978+ people · 10 Khasi tribal kingdoms |
| Carbon impact | 1.5 million tonnes CO₂ avoided · Potential: 450,000 tonnes CO₂/year |
| Activities | REDD+ (protection of dense forests + sacred groves) + Assisted Natural Regeneration (ANR) for degraded forests + fireline creation |
| Livelihood | Women-run microfinance institutions · 48 self-help groups · 5 farmers’ clubs · 8 community micro-finance groups · 12 full-time staff |
| Sacred groves | Protection of ancient Law Kyntang (sacred groves) — integral to Khasi indigenous culture and forest conservation |
Memory Trick
🧠 Remember It This Way
Khasi Hills = First REDD+ in India: Khasi Hills → Meghalaya → First Plan Vivo REDD+ in India. Certified 2013. 27,000 ha. Indigenous Khasi kingdoms. This is the standard UPSC answer — no ambiguity across any source.
Plan Vivo = community carbon standard: The key word in the question is “Plan Vivo certified.” Plan Vivo is specifically for indigenous/community projects. Khasi Hills is managed by the Khasi tribal federation — perfectly aligning with Plan Vivo’s community mandate.
Sacred groves connection: Meghalaya’s Khasi Hills are famous for sacred groves — one of India’s oldest forest conservation traditions. The REDD+ project builds on this traditional conservation to generate carbon credits. Sacred groves + REDD+ + Plan Vivo = Khasi Hills.
