New Delhi, March 4 -- Private entities may soon be granted access to degraded forests in Madhya Pradesh for afforestation projects, with the opportunity to earn carbon credits. A draft policy titled Forest Restoration Using CSR, CER, and Non-Governmental Funds, released by the state's forest department, reveals that out of Madhya Pradesh's 9.5 million hectares of forest, 3.7 million hectares are classified as degraded.

The policy aims to involve private players in restoring these lands, citing a lack of government funds to undertake such large-scale ecological restoration. The initiative seeks to enhance green cover, which is crucial for providing ecological services and strengthening forest-based livelihoods for local communities.'

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