Alarming Decline in India's Forest Health Amidst Rising Green Cover in Farm Lands

A study conducted by IIT Kharagpur highlights a worrying trend in India's environmental landscape: while agricultural lands are experiencing an increase in greening, the country's forests are witnessing a steady decline in health. This deterioration is primarily attributed to reduced photosynthetic efficiency, vital for plant growth.

Lead researchers, Prof Jayanarayanan Kuttippurath and Rahul Kashyap, argue for the urgent preservation of indigenous forests and the implementation of sustainable forest management practices to counteract the negative impacts of climate change and anthropogenic activities on India's forest ecosystems.

The study further warns that forest degradation poses significant risks to biodiversity, timber production, and climate resilience, necessitating advanced carbon capture technologies and substantial emission reductions to secure a sustainable future for India's natural resources.

(With inputs from agencies.)