India’s first ‘Teal Carbon’ Study

India’s first study on teal carbon was conducted at Keoladeo National Park (KNP) in Rajasthan, which showcases the critical role of wetland conservation in addressing climate change challenges.

About Teal Carbon:

• Teal carbon refers to carbon stored in non-tidal freshwater wetlands. This includes carbon sequestered in vegetation, microbial biomass, and dissolved as well as particulate organic matter.
• These ecosystems can store more carbon than terrestrial forests, making them highly effective for carbon capture and storage.
• Teal carbon is part of a color-based classification, focusing on the functions and location of organic carbon instead of its physical properties.
• Global storage of teal carbon is estimated at 500.21 petagrams of carbon (PgC).
• Major sources include peatlands, freshwater swamps, and natural freshwater marshes.
• These wetlands contribute to groundwater level increases, flood mitigation, and urban heat island reduction.
• They are, however, vulnerable to threats like pollution, land-use changes, and water extraction.

About Keoladeo National Park (KNP):

• Located in Bharatpur, Rajasthan, Keoladeo National Park was declared a national park in 1982 and recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985.
• The park is home to over 370 species of birds, including migratory species like the Siberian crane and local fauna like Sambar, Nilgai, wild boar, and hyenas.
• The park’s significance stems from its strategic position on the Central Asian migratory flyway, attracting numerous birds, particularly in winter.
• It was added to the Montreux Record (Ramsar Convention) in 1990 due to environmental concerns such as water shortages and unbalanced grazing.
• Wildlife includes raptors, waterfowl, jackals, and other species like wild cats and pythons.
• Migratory birds make Keoladeo a key breeding and wintering ground, but the Siberian crane, once a regular visitor, has not been spotted in recent years.

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