Is India’s Forest Health Declining?
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Synopsis
A troubling new study by IIT Kharagpur reveals a steady decline in India's forest health, driven by reduced photosynthetic efficiency. This decline poses serious risks to biodiversity, climate resilience, and the livelihoods of forest communities. Urgent measures are needed to preserve these crucial ecosystems.
Key Takeaways
- The photosynthetic efficiency of Indian forests has decreased by 5% from 2010-2019.
- Forests in regions like the Eastern Himalaya and Western Ghats are particularly vulnerable.
- The decline poses risks to biodiversity and livelihoods.
- Urgent measures are needed to preserve forests and combat climate change.
- India aims for net zero emissions by 2070.
Kolkata, Sep 16 (NationPress) The health of India’s forests is facing a gradual decline owing to diminished photosynthetic efficiency, even as the nation witnesses considerable greening and plays a role in global terrestrial carbon capture, according to a recent study conducted by researchers at IIT Kharagpur.
The research, entitled "Weakening of forest carbon stocks due to declining Ecosystem Photosynthetic Efficiency under the current and future climate change scenarios in India", was spearheaded by Professor Jayanarayanan Kuttippurath and Rahul Kashyap from the Centre for Ocean, River, Atmosphere and Land Sciences at IIT Kharagpur.
The investigation produced three key findings. Between 2010 and 2019, the photosynthetic efficiency of Indian forests decreased by 5 percent compared to the prior decade (2000–2009). This decline is most significant in the untouched forests of the Eastern Himalaya, Western Ghats, and the Indo-Gangetic Plain. Simultaneously, forests show minimal resilience to factors such as warming, drying, land and atmospheric aridity, and wildfires, with merely 16 percent demonstrating high integrity.
“The decline in forest health is largely attributed to global warming-induced reductions in soil moisture and elevated air temperatures. Other natural factors, such as wildfires and landslides, also play a significant role. Additionally, human activities like deforestation, mining, and other developmental projects contribute to this deterioration,” stated Prof Kuttippurath, the principal investigator.
The deterioration of India’s forests poses serious threats to biodiversity, timber production, the livelihoods of forest communities, and long-term climate resilience.
Indian forests are proving to be non-resilient against extreme conditions of warming, drying, land and atmospheric aridity, and wildfires.
The study highlights that the degradation of forest resources is alarming for the economy, impacting timber production, market dynamics, planting intensity, and the lives of forest dwellers.
“This also endangers biodiversity, pushing various species towards the brink of extinction. The degradation of forests in ecologically sensitive areas could lead to an increase in extreme climatic events in the future,” cautioned Kashyap, the lead author of the research.
The study underscores the urgent necessity for the preservation of indigenous forests, implementing sustainable forest management practices, scientific afforestation initiatives, significant reductions in carbon emissions, and the advancement of carbon capture technologies.
Such measures are vital to achieving sustainability and meeting India’s goal of net zero emissions by 2070.
Point of View
The alarming findings of the IIT Kharagpur study on forest health underscore the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to combat climate change and preserve our natural resources. With forests being crucial for biodiversity and livelihoods, it is imperative that we prioritize sustainable practices and effective policy measures to reverse this trend.
NationPress
20/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is causing the decline in India's forest health?
The decline in India's forest health is primarily caused by reduced photosynthetic efficiency due to climate change, including factors like global warming, decreased soil moisture, and human activities such as deforestation and mining.
Which regions in India are most affected?
The regions most impacted by the decline in forest health include the Eastern Himalaya, Western Ghats, and the Indo-Gangetic Plain.
What are the implications of forest degradation?
Forest degradation poses significant risks to biodiversity, threatens the livelihoods of forest-dependent communities, and could lead to increased climatic extremes in the future.
What actions are necessary to preserve forests?
To preserve forests, it is essential to implement sustainable forest management practices, enhance carbon capture technologies, and significantly reduce carbon emissions.
How does this study contribute to climate change awareness?
This study highlights the critical link between forest health and climate change, raising awareness about the urgent need for action to protect our forests and mitigate climate impacts.
