Key Findings:

• India’s first study on teal carbon conducted at Keoladeo National Park, Rajasthan.
• Elevated methane emissions detected; recommendation to use biochar to reduce emissions.
• Study emphasizes the role of wetland conservation in climate adaptation and resilience.

About Teal Carbon:

• • Teal carbon: Carbon stored in freshwater wetlands, including vegetation and organic matter.
  • Different from black and brown carbon, which are byproducts of incomplete combustion.
• Types of Carbon:

• • • Black Carbon: Emitted from burning fossil fuels; contributes to pollution.
    • Brown Carbon: From incomplete combustion of organic materials; absorbs solar radiation.
    • Blue Carbon: Stored in the atmosphere and oceans.
    • Green Carbon: Sequestered in terrestrial plants via photosynthesis.
    • Gray Carbon: Emitted from industrial processes.
    • Red Carbon: Released from biological particles on snow and ice.
• Role in Climate Change:

• • Teal carbon ecosystems help mitigate climate change by sequestering carbon, controlling greenhouse gases, and preventing floods.

• Primary Reservoirs:
  • • Found in peatlands, freshwater swamps, and natural marshes.
    • Global storage is estimated at 500.21 petagrams of carbon (PgC).
• Threats:

• • Vulnerable to pollution, land use changes, and water extraction.

About Keoladeo National Park:

• UNESCO World Heritage Site in Bharatpur, Rajasthan.
• Known for avian diversity with over 365 species of birds, including the Siberian crane.
• Rivers: Gambhir and Banganga flow through the park.

Wetlands and Conservation Initiatives:

Wetlands:

• Areas where water covers soil, present at/near the surface for various periods.

Global Conservation Initiatives:

• Montreux Record: Keoladeo National Park listed.
• World Wetlands Day: Celebrated for wetland conservation.

National Conservation Initiatives:

• Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017.
• National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems (NPCA).
• Amrit Dharohar Capacity Building Scheme.
• National Wetland Conservation Programme (NWCP): Launched in 1985.