Which one of the following is the first Plan Vivo certified Reducing Emissions from Defor…

- **Correct Answer:** (c) Khasi Hills Community REDD+ project
- **Significance:** Located in Meghalaya, this project is India's first initiative to receive the **Plan Vivo certification**, a global standard for community-based carbon projects.
- **Key Features:** It covers approximately 27,000 hectares of forest and is managed by local indigenous communities. It integrates traditional conservation practices, such as the protection of 'sacred groves' (*law kyntang*), with modern carbon financing mechanisms.
- **Contextual Note:** The project aims to reduce emissions from deforestation while simultaneously improving local livelihoods and preserving the unique biodiversity of the Khasi Hills.
- **Why other options are incorrect:**
- While other regions in India (like Uttarakhand or Sikkim) have various forest management and ecological restoration programs, they do not hold the historical distinction of being the first Plan Vivo certified REDD+ project in the country.
- The ICFRE-ICIMOD project focuses on transboundary landscape management in the Himalayas but is distinct from the specific community-led certification achieved by the Khasi Hills project.