Indian developer, northern state move ahead with ARR project

Chennai-based climate developer ProClime has partnered with the Government of Himachal Pradesh to launch a large-scale Afforestation, Reforestation and Revegetation (ARR) project across private agricultural land in the state. Named HIM Evergreen, the initiative spans 50,000 hectares of eligible agricultural landscapes and is being positioned as one of India's largest state-supported farmer carbon programmes. The project is expected to bring approximately 13.5 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent emissions under management over a 40-year period.

The launch marks the transition of the programme from planning and readiness into full-scale implementation, following the partnership agreement signed between ProClime and the Himachal Pradesh Forest Department in November last year. According to the company, planning, baseline assessments, farmer onboarding, deployment of digital systems, and operational readiness activities have now been completed, paving the way for field implementation.

As part of the implementation phase, field teams will begin plantation activities, farmer engagement programmes, scientific monitoring, and capacity-building initiatives under the approved implementation framework. The programme integrates agroforestry with climate-smart agricultural practices to improve soil health, enhance biodiversity, strengthen farm resilience, and generate measurable climate benefits through carbon sequestration.

Under the project, approximately 2.5 million trees will be planted along field bunds and on underutilised agricultural land, with ProClime bearing the implementation costs. The company has committed a total investment of US$8 million towards climate initiatives in Himachal Pradesh, including US$7 million for the HIM Evergreen project and an additional US$1 million for the establishment of a biochar plant and research facility.

According to Quantum Commodity Intelligence, this is the second ProClime project in Himachal Pradesh to progress from the planning stage into implementation. The project will be monitored through a digital Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV) framework designed to meet international carbon market expectations for transparency, permanence, governance, and community participation.

Additional Information provided by ProClime on Project Listing: https://registry.verra.org/app/projectDetail/VCS/5973

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