Promoting forest landscape restoration, climate action and human well-being
In India, an IKI project proves that forest restoration is a holistic nature-based approach that goes far beyond ‘ecological repair’.
In the face of escalating climate challenges, forest landscape restoration (FLR) stands as a powerful nature-based solution — building resilience not only in ecosystems but also in the communities that rely on them.
The Restore, Conserve, and Protect Forest and Tree Cover for NDC Implementation in India (RECAP4NDC) project turns this promise into reality. A joint initiative by the Indian and German governments under the International Climate Initiative (IKI), RECAP4NDC is currently active in three Indian states: Gujarat, Maharashtra and Uttarakhand, and in the Delhi National Capital Region covering Delhi and 24 surrounding districts located in Rajasthan, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. It aims to bring 150,000 hectares of forest landscapes under restoration by 2029.
Going beyond ecological repair
FLR goes beyond simple ecological repair — it involves a shift in how we engage with socio-ecological systems. Degraded landscapes are more vulnerable to climate shocks such as floods, landslides, and droughts. FLR mitigates these risks by strengthening the ecosystem's inherent ability to recover. It includes approaches such as natural regeneration, agroforestry, and reestablishment of native species to support carbon sequestration while improving water retention and reducing soil erosion.
FLR stresses the importance of stakeholder involvement and understanding different trade-offs to ensure that all stakeholder interests are addressed. The goal is to optimise ecological, social and economic benefits for everyone in the landscape.
The SPARC methodology – identifying landscapes for restoration
To ensure targeted and sustainable interventions, RECAP4NDC has developed an innovative methodology known as the Spatial Potential Assessment for Restoration and Conservation (SPARC) through the combination of geospatial analysis, remote sensing data with multicriteria on-ground validation and stakeholder inputs.
The SPARC methodology determines landscapes that have suffered damage but still maintain the capacity for restoration. Once the areas have been identified, the project will prepare dedicated restoration plans called Detailed Project Reports (DPRs), which will be presented to key stakeholders. These DPRs assess current landscape conditions, propose site-specific restoration techniques and community engagement strategies, and spell out detailed financing plans.
The actions outlined in these reports are expected to lead to measurable improvements in biodiversity, ecosystem health, and climate mitigation.
Building a shared commitment for forest landscape restoration
The RECAP4NDC project recognises that restoration is not a one-off event but a continuous process of stewardship that requires ongoing dedication and care. Successful restoration also requires strong institutional and community capacity to form the foundation necessary for implementing restoration actions. The project understands the importance of institutional and community capacity building, and thus focuses significantly on developing the knowledge and skills of the state forest departments, other allied departments (agriculture, horticulture, ecotourism, etc.), the private sector, civil society organisations and local communities. Training programmes for forest officials focus on modern restoration science and monitoring frameworks while local communities receive tools and support to sustainably manage landscapes.
This focus on capacity building ensures that FLR is not merely a top-down ecological intervention but a shared commitment between government agencies, private sector and grassroots actors. It fosters local ownership and accountability, which are crucial for the long-term success of restoration initiatives.
Nature-based solutions as an integrated approach
As climate risks increase, the importance of nature-based solutions such as FLR will only continue to grow and RECAP4NDC demonstrates that restoring forests is not just about planting trees; it’s about restoring ecological balance, strengthening climate resilience, and securing livelihoods.
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The IKI Strategy
The IKI wants to maximise its impact on climate action and biodiversity conservation. To this end, it concentrates its funding activities on prioritised fields of action within the four funding areas. Another key element is the close cooperation with selected partner countries, especially with the IKI’s priority countries.
