Carbon Stock and Carbon Sequestration Potential of Forest Growing Stock Around National Thermal Power Plant, Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, Central India

Abstract

The present study is an attempt to determine the carbon stock and carbon sequestration potential of forest growing stocks around a thermal power plant near Bilaspur smart city in Chhattisgarh, Central India. The non-destructive sampling method is used to estimate above-ground biomass and below-ground biomass. The height and diameter at breast height (DBH) is measured for each individual tree. The allometric equation was made for estimation of carbon storage of tree species. 35 tree species were recorded around the national thermal power plant at a radius of 30 km in four different directions (east, west, north, and south). The results revealed that Ficus benghalensis was the species that found the maximum amount of carbon storage, followed by Ficus religiosa. According to the present study, the allometric models developed can further estimate carbon stocks in forest vegetation in and around National Thermal Power Corporation power plants, and other tropical deciduous forests.