India’s first study on ‘teal carbon’ was undertaken at the Keoladeo National Park (KNP) in Rajasthan’s Bharatpur district.
The pilot project had sought to develop holistic nature-based solutions to address climate change.
Teal carbon refers to carbon stored in the non-tidal freshwater wetlands, encompassing carbon sequestered in vegetation, microbial biomass, and the dissolved and particulate organic matter.
‘Teal carbon’ being a colour-based terminology reflects the classification of the organic carbon based on its functions and location rather than its physical properties.
As opposed to teal carbon, black and brown carbon are primarily produced by incomplete combustion of organic matter from sources such as wild fires, fossil fuel combustion, and industrial activities.