The Himachal Pradesh government has started deliberations with the World Bank over earning carbon credits from the forest cover of the state. The credits would come as financial gains in return of effective sequestration of carbon emissions done by state forests. A high-level delegation, comprising Additional Chief Secretary Avay Shukla, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest Pankaj Khullar, Additional Conservator of Forest and five more bureaucrats, has reached Costa Rica for deliberations with the World Bank officials. The delegation would discuss various aspects of earning carbon credits over 15 rounds of meetings till May 15. Forest Minister J.P. Nadda today said the team has gone fully prepared to discuss the modalities of the agreement. "The delegation would negotiate with the World Bank to enter into an agreement on carbon credits. Though the agreement would not be done in this meeting, but all vital aspects of the plan would be worked out,' said Nadda. The points of discussion are expected to be details such as the form of implementation, distribution of carbon credits earned by the state and role of forest department, panchayats, local self government and private parties. Nadda said since this was the first such initiative by any state government in India, the World Bank is also as keen as the Himachal government. A decision is expected during the negotiations on the fresh stock of tree varieties to be propagated in Himachal, which absorb more carbon emissions resulting in better gains in the future. Replying to a question Nadda said that the value of existing forest wealth would also be gauged. "We hope that the good gains would come our way in lieu of conservation efforts done by us,' he said. When asked about involvement of technocrats for framing the plan, Nadda said the World Bank's initial emphasis was on administrative requirements so only bureaucrats are initiating the negotiations, but in later stages technocrats would get a role. Getting strict on promptness of the fire and forest staff regarding forest fires, the Forest Minister today suspended a range officer and three forest guards. They had failed to reach the spot of a forest fire in Bilaspur on Monday evening. Talking on people's participation, Nadda said, "In lieu of timber distribution rights, the people would have to play a role in preventing forest fires.'