Biochar for Climate Change Mitigation and Ameliorating Soil Health—A Review

In world about 2.7 billion people use wood, cow dung and crop residue for cooking and house heating. India produces about 120-150 million tons surplus biomass and most them are burn on the field. These agro-residue and biomass are not waste but the resources and can be utilized by meeting the challenge of soil degradation, environmental pollution and energy security. The present paper put light on the potential of the biochar as an agent for mitigating climate change and improving soil health. The biochar has higher calorific value than the raw biomass and is stabilized carbon. Design improvement of cook stove and portable biochar kiln would help in biomass conservation, efficient utilization of biomass as energy source, reduction in greenhouse gases (especially CO2) emission, black carbon reduction which is responsible for global warming. The biochar embedment in soil improves soil health and carbon sequestration. Therefore, application of biochar needs to be encouraged through the participation of public & private institutions, NGOs and farmer