Panna

Afforestation, India

PROJECT OVERVIEW

What the project does

The Panna Afforestation Project is a large-scale, community-led nature restoration initiative in Madhya Pradesh, India. It aims to plant over 11 million native trees across 20,000 hectares of degraded land while supporting sustainable livelihoods and long-term ecosystem recovery. Through strong local engagement, the project promotes economic empowerment, environmental regeneration, and climate resilience across more than 100 rural communities. To date, 1.2 million trees have already been planted, with verified carbon removal credits secured under long-term offtake.

AT A GLANCE

Project key details

-> Location: Madhya Pradesh, India

-> Established: 2023

-> Total area: 20,000 hectares

-> Trees to be planted: 11.6 million native species

-> Trees planted to date: 1.2 million across 100 communities

-> Carbon credit offtake: 1.5 million tonnes over 30 years (purchased by Microsoft)

-> Verification standard: Verra VCS (in progress)

-> Project advisor:

-> Corporate offtake:

METHODOLOGY SPOTLIGHT

Why afforestation is a climate solution

The Panna region faces high levels of land degradation, biodiversity loss, and economic vulnerability. By restoring native forests, the project not only captures carbon but revitalises ecosystems and creates income-generating opportunities for farmers. Its community-driven model ensures that local people are key beneficiaries — earning from both carbon credit sales and the fruits and medicinal products grown on restored land. Climate-smart agriculture training and sustainable water infrastructure further enhance long-term impact and resilience.

CARBON, BIODIVERSITY AND RESILIENCE

Climate and ecosystem impact

By planting millions of mixed native trees, the project sequesters significant amounts of CO₂ while improving the structure and function of degraded ecosystems. Native species are selected to promote biodiversity, including attracting pollinators, butterflies, and birds back to the landscape.

The project’s long-term design ensures that carbon removals are verified and aligned with global net zero pathways, while the focus on ecological diversity strengthens resilience and habitat value.

LIVELIHOODS AND INCLUSION

Community and social impact

The project is centred on economic empowerment. Local farmers benefit directly from a share of carbon credit revenues and from the sale of fruits and medicinal produce from trees planted on their land. Training on climate-smart agriculture supports higher yields, while sustainable agroforestry models improve soil health and long-term productivity. The initiative spans over 100 communities, with a focus on equitable participation and inclusive development outcomes.

CREDIBILITY AND VERIFICATION

Transparency and monitoring

Panna is being developed in alignment with Verra’s Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) to ensure measurable, additional, and permanent removals. A digital monitoring platform will track project implementation and outcomes. Local engagement and landholder participation are central to the project’s governance, providing long-term accountability and transparency.