Development of National REDD+ Strategy is one of the mandatory requirements for implementation of REDD+ activities. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Government of India had assigned the task for preparation of National REDD+ Strategy to Indian Council of Forestry research and Education (ICFRE). ICFRE organized series of expert meetings, workshops and stakeholder consultations across the country for preparation of the REDD+ Strategy. National REDD+ Strategy released by the Hon’ble Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India on 30 August 2018 and submitted to the UNFCCC.

India’s National REDD+ Strategy has been aligned with the precepts of the National Forest Policy (NFP). The overarching objective of National REDD+ Strategy is to facilitate implementation of REDD+ programme in the country in conformity with relevant decisions of UNFCCC, in particular the Cancun Agreements, Warsaw Framework for REDD+, Paris Agreement, and the national legislative and policy framework for conservation and improvement of forests and the environment. REDD+ Strategy addresses drivers of deforestation and forest degradation and issues like safeguards for rights of local community, gender equity and creation of green jobs to local youths.

Implementation framework of the Strategy includes establishment of a National Governing Council for REDD+ by MoEFCC for coordinating and guiding REDD+ related actions at the national level as well as coordinating and monitoring of REDD+ implementation.  Strategy proposes to establish a National Designated Entity for REDD+ at the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to liaise with UNFCCC and states for implementation of REDD+ activities. Strategy delegates major responsibility for execution of REDD+ activities to the State Forest Departments. Each State Forest Department has to create a REDD+ Cell for facilitating the implementation of national REDD+ Strategy.