Q.Examine the status of forest resources of India and its resultant impact on climate change. (250 words, 15 marks)

Introduction

According to the 'India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2019', India's total forest and tree cover stands at 80.73 million hectares, representing 24.56% of the country's total geographical area. These ecosystems provide vital services, and any significant alteration in forest cover directly impacts global climate change.

Status of Forest Resources in India

• Growth Trends: Compared to ISFR 2017, the 2019 assessment recorded a 0.65% increase in combined forest and tree cover at the national level.

• Leading States: The top five states/UTs showing the highest increase in forest cover are Karnataka, followed by Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Jammu & Kashmir, and Himachal Pradesh.

• Hilly and Tribal Areas: Forest cover in hill districts is 40.30%, while tribal districts exhibit 37.54% forest cover.

• North-Eastern Region: The Northeast maintains a high forest cover of 65.05%, but the region saw a net decrease of 765 sq km (0.45%), with all states except Assam and Tripura showing a decline.

• Mangroves and Wetlands: Mangrove cover increased by 1.10%. Wetlands cover 3.83% of the country's recorded forest area (RFA), with Gujarat having the largest wetland area, followed by West Bengal.

• Resource Dependency: Fuelwood dependency is highest in Maharashtra, while Madhya Pradesh shows the highest dependence on forests for fodder, small timber, and bamboo. Around 7% of the annual forest yield is harvested as small timber by forest-fringe communities.

Influence of Forests on Climatic Conditions

• Temperature Regulation: Forest canopy reduces mean annual temperatures, lowering daily maximums and raising daily minimums.

• Local Precipitation: Forests have a negligible effect on rainfall at low elevations, but significantly enhance precipitation in mountainous and high-altitude regions.

• Atmospheric Humidity: Forest cover increases relative humidity and reduces evaporation rates from the ground compared to open areas.

• Transpiration: Forests absorb soil moisture and release it back into the atmosphere through transpiration, driving the local water cycle.

• Soil Health and Water Retention: Forests enrich soil fertility, reduce surface runoff, and enhance groundwater percolation, which feeds natural springs in hilly terrains.

Conclusion

Forests are a cornerstone of climate change mitigation. Globally, they sequester about 2.6 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide annually—equivalent to one-third of the CO2 emitted from fossil fuels. Protecting and expanding forest cover is therefore critical to achieving climate resilience.