Compensatory afforestation: Saving trees or greenwashing?

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Compensatory afforestation: Saving trees or greenwashing?

By Manju Menon, Kanchi Kohli

Times Of India

December 4, 2022

In the last three years, several institutional and regulatory mechanisms have been changed to facilitate large-scale land investments in India’s union territories of Ladakh, Lakshadweep, J&K, Daman & Diu and the Andaman and Nicobar (A&N) Islands that are directly governed by the central government. The NITI Aayog has proposed measures “to promote competitive spirit amongst the UTs to expedite the process of development.” Many of these areas are ecologically exceptional and support distinct forms of lifestyles and occupations of indigenous and local communities. These regions are also at the forefront of climate change impacts.

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STATEMENT

January 17th, 2024

On 10th January 2024, CPR received a notice from the Ministry of Home Affairs cancelling its FCRA status. The basis of this decision is incomprehensible and disproportionate, and some of the reasons given challenge the very basis of the functioning of a research institution. This includes the publication on our website of policy reports emanating from our research being equated with current affairs programming.

During the tenure of our suspension, we sought and obtained interim redress from the honourable Delhi High Court and will continue to seek recourse in all avenues possible.

This cancellation comes after a decision to suspend the FCRA status in February 2023. These actions followed an Income Tax “survey” that took place in September 2022. The actions have had a debilitating impact on the institution’s ability to function by choking all sources of funding. This has undermined the institution’s ability to pursue its well established objective of producing high quality, globally recognised research on policy matters, which it has been recognised for over its 50 years’ existence. During this time the institution has been home to some of the country’s most distinguished academics, diplomats and policymakers.

CPR firmly reiterates that it is in complete compliance with the law, and has been cooperating fully and exhaustively at every step of the process. We remain steadfast in our belief that this matter will be resolved in line with constitutional values and guarantees.

From the President, CPR

Opinion and commentary

Compensatory afforestation: Saving trees or greenwashing?

By Manju Menon, Kanchi Kohli