Answer: 

Introduction:

According to the India State of Forest Report 2019, the Indian forest cover is around 24.56% of its total geographical area. The country has lost around 9.38 million hectares of forest cover between 1991 and 2019.

Body:

Forests are a critical natural resource in India, providing numerous ecological, economic, and social benefits. They are home to diverse flora and fauna, regulate local weather patterns, and provide livelihoods to millions of people.

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Status of forest resources of India as follows.

• Mangrove cover: Mangroves are a vital ecosystem that plays a crucial role in coastal protection, carbon sequestration, and supporting biodiversity. Mangroves cover an area of around 4,975 square km. E.g. Sundarbans delta in the Bay of Bengal being the largest mangrove forest in the world.
• Bamboo Cover: Bamboo is a fast-growing and renewable resource in India’s economy and environment. India has the largest area under bamboo cultivation in the world, covering around 2 million hectares.
• Increase in forest and tree cover: According to the India State of Forest Report 2019, Forest and tree cover increased by 13,000 square km. The government has implemented various afforestation and reforestation initiatives. Like the Green India Mission and the National Agroforestry Policy.
• Total carbon stock: The total carbon stock in Indian forests is around 7,124 million tonnes. Deforestation and degradation of forests release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, contributing to global warming. Preserving and increasing forest cover is crucial for mitigating climate change.

Significant impact on climate change:

Forests act as carbon sinks, absorbing and storing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

• They regulate local weather patterns and prevent soil erosion, desertification, and land degradation.
• Deforestation and forest degradation release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, contributing to global warming. Preserving and increasing forest cover is crucial for mitigating climate change.
• The management of forest resources is crucial for the sustainable development of India, and efforts must be made to conserve and enhance their contribution to mitigating climate change.

India is quite vulnerable to effect of climate change due to:

• India is vulnerable to the effects of climate change due to its vast coastline, large population, and reliance on agriculture.
• The country is experiencing more frequent extreme weather events, such as droughts, floods, and heat waves.
• Melting Himalayan glaciers threaten the water supply of millions of people, while rising sea levels pose a threat to coastal areas.
• Climate change is expected to have significant impacts on India’s economy, food security, and public health.

Conclusion:

India’s forest resources play a crucial role in mitigating climate change and provide various economic, ecological, and social benefits. Deforestation and forest degradation pose a significant threat to the environment and exacerbate the effects of climate change.

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