UPSC Prelims 2026 question on Khasi Hills REDD Plus

REDD+ is a framework developed under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to support efforts aimed at reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation while promoting sustainable forest management and conservation.

The Khasi Hills Community REDD+ Project, located in Meghalaya, involves indigenous communities in forest conservation, restoration and sustainable livelihood activities. It became the first REDD+ project in India to receive certification under the Plan Vivo Standard, a framework designed for community-based ecosystem service initiatives. Hence option (c) is correct.

The Uttarakhand REDD+ Project is not recognised as the first Plan Vivo certified REDD+ project in India, so option (a) is incorrect.

The ICFRE-ICIMOD Transboundary REDD+ Project in the North-Eastern Himalayas represents an important collaborative initiative, but it was not the first Plan Vivo certified REDD+ project in India, so option (b) is incorrect.