Afforestation & Tasar Livelihoods / Gold Standard for the Global Goals / ARR
Tasar tree-based afforestation for livelihood sustainability and carbon removal (TASAR) | Madhya Pradesh & Jharkhand | 15,200 ha | Gold Standard for the Global Goals
The TASAR Afforestation Project, implemented by Cognisphere Solutions Limited (CSL), combines ecological restoration with Tasar-based livelihoods across Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand. Developed in line with Gold Standard ARR requirements, the project spans 600 villages and aims to restore more than 15,200 ha of degraded and fallow land on privately owned plots of marginalized farmers.
The initiative focuses on planting native Tasar host species such as Terminalia arjuna and Terminalia tomentosa, which are well-suited to degraded soils and support long-term ecosystem recovery. These species improve biodiversity, stabilize soils, and create suitable conditions for Tasar silkworm rearing, while contributing to carbon sequestration and climate resilience. Over time, they also enable sustained income from cocoons, seeds, and Tasar silk, benefiting nearly 10,000+ farmers.
This project combines ecological restoration with livelihood pathways anchored in Tasar value chains, linking plantation quality and producer participation across a large rural footprint.
Instead of treating afforestation and livelihoods as separate tracks, the project is designed so that field establishment, plantation care, silk reeling, and producer readiness progress together across village clusters.
The project follows FPIC principles, ensuring farmers are informed and involved throughout the project cycle. Skill development efforts focus largely on women and are delivered through trainings, exposure visits, and on-field support, helping strengthen both participation and livelihood opportunities.
Saplings are raised in nurseries managed by farmer groups, helping build local ownership and practical knowledge within tribal communities. The project focuses on planting native Tasar host species to support long-term sustainability, strengthen ecosystem stability, and improve biodiversity across the landscape.
Farmers receive hands-on training across the Tasar lifecycle, from silkworm rearing to silk reeling. Market linkages, from rural producers to textile industries, are facilitated through local institutions and government systems, supporting a connected value chain.
The project is designed so that ecological gains and household-level income opportunities develop together. The progress is tracked through indicators such as plantation quality, farmer adoption, and post-harvest readiness, ensuring that both environmental and livelihood outcomes are consistently supported.
Amrut Nature Solutions serves as the project consultant for the GS Tasar Afforestation Project, providing end-to-end technical support across project development and implementation. This includes designing and conducting baseline assessments, and structuring a clear results framework that links field activities to measurable outcomes.
Amrut has also developed a monitoring system with defined indicators, data collection methods, and quality control processes to ensure that field data remains consistent, verifiable, and aligned with Gold Standard requirements over the project’s lifetime.