Forest Resources of India and Their Impact on Climate Change

Introduction

Forests are vital components of Earth’s ecological balance, acting as carbon sinks, biodiversity reservoirs, and regulators of climate. In India, forest resources play a crucial role in sustaining livelihoods, maintaining environmental stability, and mitigating climate change. India is home to the world’s 10th largest forest area, with diverse ecosystems ranging from tropical rainforests in the northeast and Andaman Islands to dry deciduous forests in central India and alpine forests in the Himalayas.

Forests in India provide timber, fuelwood, non-timber forest products, medicinal plants, and recreational spaces, while also regulating hydrological cycles, soil fertility, and microclimates. However, deforestation, urban expansion, industrialization, and unsustainable exploitation have led to a significant decline in forest cover in many regions. This degradation has profound consequences for climate change, biodiversity, and human well-being.

This essay examines the current status of India’s forest resources, their distribution, types, uses, degradation patterns, and resultant impact on climate change, emphasizing the urgent need for sustainable forest management.

Forest Cover in India: An Overview

India’s forest resources are assessed periodically by the Forest Survey of India (FSI). According to the India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2023:

• Total forest and tree cover: 8,16,789 sq. km, which is 24.1% of India’s geographical area.
  
  
• Forest types: India’s forests are classified into tropical evergreen, tropical deciduous, temperate, thorn, mangrove, and alpine forests.
  
  
• Distribution:
  • Himalayan region: temperate and alpine forests.
  • Northeast India: tropical evergreen and semi-evergreen forests.
  • Western Ghats: tropical and montane forests.
  • Central India: tropical dry deciduous forests.
  • Western India: thorn forests and scrublands.
    
    
• Tree cover outside forests: 95,027 sq. km, indicating the presence of trees in urban areas, agroforestry systems, and plantations.

Types of Forests in India

India’s forests can be broadly categorized based on climate, vegetation, and ecological characteristics:

1. Tropical Evergreen Forests

• Found in Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Western Ghats, and northeastern states.
  
  
• Dense, multi-layered forests with high biodiversity.
  
  
• High rainfall (>2000 mm/year) and constant temperature favor species like teak, rosewood, ebony, and bamboo.
  
  
• Role in climate: act as major carbon sinks and regulate local rainfall patterns.

2. Tropical Deciduous Forests

• Cover ~40% of total forest area.
  
  
• Found in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, and northern Andhra Pradesh.
  
  
• Subtypes: moist deciduous (high rainfall) and dry deciduous (low rainfall).
  
  
• Major species: teak, sal, shisham, and bamboo.
  
  
• Important for timber production, fuelwood, and ecological stability.

3. Thorn Forests and Scrubs

• Found in Rajasthan, Gujarat, and parts of Haryana and Punjab.
• Sparse vegetation adapted to arid climates and low rainfall.
• Role in preventing desertification and supporting grazing.

4. Montane and Temperate Forests

• Found in Himalayan states: Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Jammu & Kashmir.
  
  
• Species: oak, rhododendron, pine, fir, and deodar.
  
  
• Important for watershed protection, soil stabilization, and regulating microclimates.

5. Mangroves

• Found along coastlines of Sundarbans, Gujarat, Andaman Islands, and Kerala.
• Provide coastal protection, prevent erosion, and act as carbon sinks.
• Species: Sundari, Avicennia, Rhizophora.

6. Alpine and Sub-Alpine Forests

• Found in Himalayan high altitudes above 3,000 m.
• Sparse vegetation: conifers, junipers, alpine shrubs.
• Crucial for soil stabilization and preventing landslides.

Current Status and Trends

India has made considerable progress in afforestation and forest management:

1. Increase in Forest Cover:
   • Forest cover increased by 5,188 sq. km between 2019–2023 due to afforestation programs and tree plantations.
   • Tree cover outside forests also increased by 1,276 sq. km.
     
     
2. Forest Density:
   • Very dense forests (>70% canopy) cover 95,542 sq. km.
   • Moderately dense forests (40–70%) cover 2,41,607 sq. km.
     
     
3. Regional Disparities:
   • High forest cover states: Mizoram (85%), Arunachal Pradesh (79%), Meghalaya (76%).
   • Low forest cover states: Haryana (6.2%), Punjab (3.6%), Rajasthan (6.2%).
     
     
4. Forest Degradation:
   • Encroachment, illegal logging, and urban expansion have degraded forest quality in several areas.
     
     
   • Fragmentation of forests reduces biodiversity and ecological resilience.

Uses of Forest Resources

1. Ecological Functions

• Carbon sequestration: forests absorb ~7–8% of India’s annual CO₂ emissions.
• Oxygen production and air purification.
• Watershed protection, soil conservation, and maintaining river flows.
• Habitat for wildlife and maintenance of biodiversity.

2. Economic Functions

• Timber, firewood, paper, bamboo, and medicinal plants.
• Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) like honey, gum, lac, and resins.
• Ecotourism and recreation opportunities.

3. Social and Cultural Functions

• Livelihoods for forest-dependent communities, including tribal populations.
• Religious and cultural importance in sacred groves and community forests.

Impact of Forest Depletion on Climate Change

1. Carbon Emissions and Global Warming

• Deforestation releases stored carbon, contributing to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
• India loses around 8–10 million tonnes of carbon per year due to forest degradation.
• Reduced forest cover weakens the carbon sink capacity, accelerating climate change.

2. Altered Local and Regional Climate

• Forest loss leads to increased surface temperatures, reduced rainfall, and more erratic monsoons.
• Example: Deforestation in central India has contributed to drying of rivers and heat waves in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.

3. Increased Frequency of Extreme Events

• Forests regulate water cycles and prevent soil erosion; their loss increases vulnerability to floods, droughts, and landslides.
  
  
• Western Ghats deforestation has increased soil erosion and flash floods during heavy rains.

4. Biodiversity Loss

• Forest degradation reduces species diversity, weakening ecosystems’ resilience to climate stress.
• Loss of keystone species affects carbon storage, water cycles, and ecosystem services.

5. Impact on Livelihoods and Human Health

• Tribal and rural communities dependent on forests face reduced income and resources.
• Climate change exacerbated by deforestation leads to heat stress, food insecurity, and vector-borne diseases.

Government Initiatives to Address Forest Loss and Climate Change

1. National Afforestation Programme (NAP)

• Focuses on restoring degraded forests and wastelands.
• Community participation encouraged through Joint Forest Management (JFM).

2. Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA)

• Funds from forest diversion for development projects used for afforestation.

3. Green India Mission (GIM)

• Part of National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC).
• Target: increase forest and tree cover, improve ecosystem services, and enhance carbon sequestration.

4. REDD+ and International Collaboration

• India participates in Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) programs.
  
  
• Focus on carbon credits, sustainable management, and conservation incentives.

5. Protected Areas and Wildlife Conservation

• National parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and biosphere reserves preserve forest ecosystems.
• 104 national parks and 566 wildlife sanctuaries contribute to forest and biodiversity protection.

Challenges in Forest Resource Management

1. Encroachment and Urbanization – Forest land diverted for agriculture, housing, and infrastructure.
2. Illegal Logging – Timber and NTFP exploitation threatens forest health.
3. Forest Fires – Increasing in frequency due to climate change and human activity.
4. Invasive Species – Non-native plants reduce forest regeneration and biodiversity.
5. Climate Change Feedback – Degraded forests are more vulnerable to droughts, pests, and extreme weather.
6. Funding and Policy Implementation Gaps – Delays and weak enforcement reduce the effectiveness of conservation programs.

Way Forward and Sustainable Solutions

1. Afforestation and Reforestation – Restore degraded areas and increase forest cover to meet 33% national target.
   
   
2. Community Participation – Empower local communities in forest protection and resource management.
   
   
3. Integrated Forest Management – Combine biodiversity conservation, sustainable timber extraction, and ecosystem services.
   
   
4. Climate-Smart Forestry – Promote species resilient to drought, pests, and high temperatures.
   
   
5. Urban Forestry – Develop green belts, city parks, and urban plantations to mitigate heat islands and air pollution.
   
   
6. Policy Enforcement – Strengthen laws like Forest Conservation Act 1980 and Wildlife Protection Act 1972.
   
   
7. Technology Integration – Use GIS, remote sensing, and drones for forest monitoring and early detection of deforestation or fires.
   
   
8. International Cooperation – Participate in REDD+, UNFCCC, and global conservation programs.
   
   
9. Education and Awareness – Promote understanding of forests’ role in climate stability and sustainable livelihoods.

Conclusion

India’s forests are crucial for climate regulation, biodiversity conservation, and human well-being. While the country has made progress in afforestation, protection of forested areas, and carbon sequestration initiatives, challenges remain due to deforestation, urbanization, and climate change.

The depletion of forest resources has direct and indirect impacts on climate, including greenhouse gas emissions, altered rainfall patterns, increased extreme events, and biodiversity loss. Sustainable forest management, policy enforcement, community engagement, and technological innovations are essential to enhance forest cover, mitigate climate change, and secure ecological and socio-economic resilience.

Preserving and restoring India’s forest resources is not just an environmental necessity but a strategic imperative for climate action, sustainable development, and intergenerational equity.