Which one of the following is the first Plan Vivo certified Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) project in India ?
- (a) Uttarakhand REDD+ project
- (b) ICFRE-ICIMOD Transboundary REDD+ project in North-Eastern Himalayas
- (c) Khasi Hills Community REDD+ project ✓ UPSC's answer
- (d) Sikkim Mamley Kamrang Community REDD+ project
Why the answer is (c)
• REDD+ rewards forest communities for reducing emissions from deforestation and degradation; Plan Vivo is a voluntary standard that certifies community-led projects and issues tradable carbon certificates.
• The Khasi Hills Community REDD+ Project in the East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya, launched in 2011–13 by the Ka Synjuk Ki Hima Arliang Wah Umiam Mawphlang federation of ten indigenous kingdoms (himas), was the first project in India — and in Asia — to gain Plan Vivo certification.
• It protects about 27,000 ha of community forest, including sacred groves, and channels carbon revenue into village development.
• The Uttarakhand, ICFRE–ICIMOD transboundary and Sikkim projects are other REDD+ initiatives but were not the first Plan Vivo-certified one.
• Hence option (c).
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) Uttarakhand REDD+ project
- The Uttarakhand project was not the first Plan Vivo-certified REDD+ project.
- (b) ICFRE-ICIMOD Transboundary REDD+ project in North-Eastern Himalayas
- The ICFRE-ICIMOD transboundary project is a pilot, not the first Plan Vivo-certified project.
- (d) Sikkim Mamley Kamrang Community REDD+ project
- The Sikkim Mamley Kamrang project came later than the Khasi Hills project.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2026, held on 24 May 2026. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.