The Climate Parliament’s hearing in Costa Rica in June 2009 on “payment for ecosystem services” legislation had encouraging results at the state government level in India.

On his return to India, Anurag Thakur MP arranged for a follow-up trip to Costa Rica by the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh.

This resulted in the Government of Himachal Pradesh announcing a unique scheme for payment for ecosystem services whereby 15 per cent of the funds for water catchment areas would be reserved for payment to farmers and villagers for conservation of forests.

This initiative has spurred interest amongst other state governments and the Union Government.