India has claimed that over the last two decades, it has not only managed to reverse deforestation but has also managed to transform its forests into a significant net sink of carbon dioxide (CO2).

This has been stated in a first-of-its-kind document coming from a developing country. Titled “India’s Forest and Tree Cover — Contribution as a Carbon Sink”, the document was released by Union Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh on the sidelines of the convocation of the probationers of the Indian Forest Service at the Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy on Monday.

The document is being seen as a vital step in the run-up to climate change negotiations in Copenhagen scheduled to be held in December. Ramesh said the findings would come in handy while putting across India’s stand in future negotiations on climate change. Forests absorb carbon dioxide and, therefore, countries that have large areas of forest (or other vegetation) can deduct a certain amount from their emissions, which makes it easier for them to achieve the desired emission levels.