Palming off the forests: social and ecological implications of introducing oil palm plantations in North-east India (original) (raw)

Abstract

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The introduction of oil palm plantations in North-east India, particularly in states like Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh, poses significant ecological and social challenges. While the government promotes these plantations as a means to enhance local economies and reduce reliance on imports, experiences from South-east Asia highlight potential risks, including deforestation, biodiversity loss, and negative impacts on indigenous communities reliant on shifting cultivation. Recommendations suggest careful management and involvement of local communities in the cultivation process, as well as exploring alternatives to mitigate ecological damage.

Key takeaways

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  1. Oil palm plantations in North-east India could expand over 100,000 hectares, significantly impacting local ecosystems.
  2. Lessons from Southeast Asia highlight severe ecological impacts including deforestation and biodiversity loss from oil palm development.
  3. Indigenous communities rely on shifting cultivation, and oil palm expansion threatens their livelihoods and cultural identity.
  4. The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) faces significant implementation challenges, with only 33% of its production certified sustainable.
  5. Exploring alternatives and enhancing existing plantation productivity may mitigate the negative social and ecological consequences of oil palm expansion.

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References (8)

  1. Fitzherbert EB, MJ Struebig, A Morel, F Dan- ielsen, CA Brühl, PF Donald & Phalan, B. 2008. How will oil palm expansion affect biodiversity? Trends in ecology & evolution, 23(10), 538-545.
  2. Gillespie P. 2011. How Does Legislation Affect Oil Palm Smallholders in the Sanggau District of Kalimantan, Indonesia? Australasian Journal of Natural Resources Law and Policy, 14(1), 1-37.
  3. Koh LP & DS Wilcove. 2007. Cashing in palm oil for conservation, Nature, 448(7157), 993-994.
  4. Obidzinski K, R Andriani, H Komanidin & A An- drianto. 2012. Environmental and social impacts of oil palm plantations and their implications for biofuel production in Indonesia. Ecology and Society, 17(1), 25.
  5. Raman TRS. 2014. Perils of Oil Palm, 20 August 2014, Newslink (Aizawl).
  6. Srinivasan U. 2014. Oil palm expansion: ecological threat to north-east India. Economic and Political Weekly, XLIX, Sep. 06, 2014.
  7. Karthik Teegalapalli is a PhD candidate at the Nature Conservation Foundation, karthik@ncf- india.org.
  8. Deborah Lawrence is a professor of environmen- tal sciences at the University of Virginia, dl3c@ virginia.edu.

FAQs

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What are the ecological impacts of oil palm plantations in North-east India?add

Oil palm plantations in North-east India may cause deforestation, reduced biodiversity, and increased carbon emissions, mirroring trends seen in Southeast Asia's plantations over the last three decades.

How do oil palm plantations affect local communities in North-east India?add

Many farming communities engaged in shifting cultivation may face disrupted livelihoods and cultural identity loss as oil palm plantations encroach on their traditional agricultural practices.

What are the limitations of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil's effectiveness?add

As of 2012, only one-third of the palm oil produced by RSPO members was certified sustainable, highlighting insufficient implementation and lack of responsibility among crude palm oil traders.

How does oil palm cultivation compare to traditional swidden practices in the region?add

Shifting cultivation effectively supports food security and local culture for about half a million families, while the economic benefits of oil palm largely accrue to migrant laborers rather than indigenous people.

What alternatives to oil palm cultivation are being researched or suggested?add

Researchers are exploring lipid-producing yeast as a potential alternative to palm oil, while improving efficiency in existing plantations is being prioritized to prevent further deforestation.