An invasive tree introduced in Gujarat Kachchh region decades ago to combat desertification is now being used in biochar projects linked to the carbon market, with major companies including Google and Microsoft among buyers of carbon removal credits.
Prosopis juliflora locally known as gando baval, has spread across large parts of the Banni grasslands, replacing native vegetation and reducing fodder availability. Climate tech company Varaha ClimateAg has worked with local organisations to convert the tree’s biomass into biochar, a charcoal like material intended to store carbon when incorporated into soil.
However, the approach has raised concerns among researchers, contractors and community members. Some field observations suggest that biochar may encourage the regrowth of Prosopis rather than native grasses while trials in parts of Kachchh reportedly found lower crop production in biochar treated plots.
Water use is another concern in the arid region. Kon Tiki kilns used to produce biochar require hundreds of litres of water for each cycle, adding pressure in an area already facing water scarcity. Contractors have also reported that Prosopis can rapidly regenerate after clearing potentially requiring years of repeated removal to achieve genuine grassland restoration.
Varaha has said its projects include safeguards such as mixing biochar with manure before credits are issued monitoring the production chain and conducting annual independent validation. The company also acknowledged that meaningful restoration after Prosopis removal would require three to five years of continuous effort.
The controversy highlights a wider challenge for carbon markets a project designed to remove carbon must also demonstrate that it delivers lasting climate benefits without creating new ecological or social problems. In Kachchh, experts and local communities are questioning whether converting an invasive species into carbon credits can truly restore the grasslands if the tree continues to return.