TAG: GS 3: ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT
THE CONTEXT: According to the latest data from the Global Forest Watch (GFW) monitoring project, India has experienced a significant decline in tree cover since 2000. Over this period, the country lost 2.33 million hectares of tree cover, equivalent to a six percent decrease.
EXPLANATION:
- This loss has profound implications for climate change, as forests play a crucial role in carbon sequestration.
Factors Contributing to Tree Cover Loss
- The causes of tree cover loss in India are diverse and multifaceted.
- While deforestation, characterized by the permanent removal of natural forest cover, is a significant factor, tree cover loss also encompasses human-caused loss and natural disturbances such as logging, fire, disease, or storm damage.
- Notably, 95 percent of tree cover loss in India from 2013 to 2023 occurred within natural forests, highlighting the scale of human impact on these ecosystems.
Regional Patterns and Impacts
- The data reveals regional disparities in tree cover loss, with certain states experiencing disproportionately high levels of deforestation.
- Assam, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, and Manipur accounted for 60 percent of all tree cover loss between 2001 and 2023.
- Factors contributing to this loss vary from region to region, including logging, agricultural expansion, and infrastructure development.
Climate Implications
- The loss of tree cover in India has significant implications for climate change.
- Forests serve as both a sink and a source of carbon, sequestering carbon dioxide from the atmosphere while also emitting it when cleared or degraded.
- The release of carbon dioxide from tree cover loss contributes to the acceleration of climate change, exacerbating global warming and its associated impacts.
Fires and Other Disturbances
- Fire represents a notable cause of tree cover loss in India, with thousands of hectares lost annually due to wildfires.
- Odisha, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Assam, and Meghalaya are among the states most affected by tree cover loss due to fires.
- These disturbances further compound the challenges faced by forest ecosystems and underscore the importance of effective fire management strategies.
Data Limitations and Considerations
- While the GFW provides valuable insights into forest dynamics, it is essential to acknowledge the limitations of satellite-based monitoring.
- Tree cover loss does not always equate to forest loss or deforestation, as it may include temporary disturbances or land use changes that do not result in permanent forest conversion.
- Moreover, the evolution of data algorithms and satellite technology over time necessitates caution when interpreting trends and making comparisons across different time periods.