The Asha project in Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, Coochbehar District, West Bengal, India, involves reforesting 2,300 hectares of private lands with local tree species over 5 years.

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This initiative aims to restore unproductive soils and provide carbon absorption and ecosystem services.

The project focuses on planting 10 types of native trees, including hardwoods like Teak and Gamar, as well as medicinal and horticultural species such as Neem and Jackfruit.

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In the Asha project, smallholder farmers in Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, Coochbehar District of West Bengal, India, plant trees on their land and keep ownership of both the trees and their products.

They receive training and financial support from the Tomorrow’s Skills and Livelihoods

Private Limited (TSLPL) consortium, which identifies suitable land areas with the consent of the landowners. The project aims to empower Farmer Interest Groups (FIGs) consisting of 6 to 12 farmers each, predominantly women, to address deforestation, poverty, and floods.

 

Activities include nursery management, plantation planning, site preparation, planting, weed control, pruning, fertilization, and pest and fire management.

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Before the project, communities relied on subsistence farming on their more fertile and

accessible lands, leaving remote and less fertile parcels unused due to financial constraints and soil quality issues.

This project aims to plant trees on these abandoned lands. It's expected to capture 1.4 million Tons of CO2 with 22% Buffer and 10% Mortality over a 20- year crediting period. This effort not only enhances land productivity but also contributes significantly to carbon sequestration.

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the project targets a total of 2300 ha planted over 5 years