India appears again in the deforestation report, with a difference of 284,400 hectares, but is committed to restoring its forests and plans to re-establish over 20 million hectares by 2030.
Deforestation is a significant challenge facing India, with the country losing a significant amount of forest cover every year. The impacts of deforestation on the environment, local communities, and the economy are significant, highlighting the need for urgent action. India has taken several steps to combat deforestation, but more needs to be done to ensure the country’s forests are protected and conserved for future generations. Deforestation is a significant contributor to climate change, affecting around 10 million hectares of land every year.
Many factors, including mass production of goods and food demand, lead to deforestation. Sustainability is an essential element, and as a company that provides comparisons in business energy supply, they have scoured the internet for everything deforestation-related and put together a report that reveals the countries responsible for the highest deforestation rates and the impact of forestry loss on CO2 emissions.
India experienced a high rate of deforestation
India is among the countries that have experienced a high rate of deforestation, losing 668,400 hectares of forestry over recent years. A new study has revealed the countries contributing the most to global deforestation rates – and India has ranked in 2nd place after destroying an average of 668,400 hectares of forestry between 2015-2020.
The team at Utility Bidder have created the Deforestation Report by looking at the countries with the highest deforestation rates, the most significant increase in deforestation, the greatest decrease in deforestation and the agricultural products most responsible for deforestation.
Causes of Deforestation in India
Deforestation in India is caused by several factors, including the growing population, industrialization, and urbanization. The need to clear forested areas for agriculture, infrastructure development, and settlements has resulted in a decline in forest cover. The construction of dams, mining, and other large-scale projects also contributes to deforestation.
Another significant factor contributing to deforestation in India is the timber industry. The demand for timber has led to illegal logging, which often occurs in protected areas, resulting in significant forest loss. India’s rapidly growing population has also led to an increase in the demand for fuelwood, further driving deforestation.
Impact of Deforestation on India
Deforestation has had significant environmental, social, and economic impacts on India. The loss of forest cover has resulted in soil erosion, loss of biodiversity, and reduced water quality. Deforestation has also contributed to climate change, as trees play a vital role in absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
The loss of forest cover has also affected local communities that rely on forests for their livelihoods. Deforestation has resulted in the displacement of indigenous communities and reduced access to resources such as firewood, medicinal plants, and food.
Top 10 countries with the highest deforestation rates:
| Rank | Country | Continent | Average deforestation (hectares) between 2015-2020 |
| 1 | Brazil | South America | 1,695,700 |
| 2 | India | Asia | 668,400 |
| 3 | Indonesia | Asia | 650,000 |
| 4 | Tanzania | Africa | 474,000 |
| 5 | Australia | Oceania | 416,840 |
| 6 | Myanmar | Asia | 293,920 |
| 7 | Paraguay | South America | 279,340 |
| 8 | Mozambique | Africa | 267,030 |
| 9 | Sudan | Africa | 264,000 |
| 10 | Bolivia | South America | 242,540 |
Further Findings:
- With a difference of 284,400 hectares in forestry loss between 1990 and 2020, India has seen the biggest increase in deforestation.
- Brazil has reduced their deforestation levels by 2,559,100 hectares since 1990 – more than any other country.
- With 2,105,753 hectares of forestry loss, cattle are the agricultural product most responsible for deforestation.
Efforts to Combat Deforestation in India
India has taken several steps to combat deforestation and increase forest cover. The country has implemented programs such as Joint Forest Management, which involves the participation of local communities in the management of forests. The government has also launched the Green India Mission, with the aim of increasing forest cover by five million hectares.
India has also introduced policies to regulate the timber industry and combat illegal logging. The country has implemented laws to protect forests and wildlife, such as the Wildlife Protection Act and the Forest Conservation Act. The government has also taken measures to promote sustainable forest management and increase the use of alternative sources of fuel, such as biogas and solar energy.
Brazil leads the list of countries with the highest deforestation rates
Brazil leads the list of countries with the highest deforestation rates, with an average rate of 1,695,700 hectares between 2015-2020. India follows with 668,400 hectares, and Indonesia with 650,000 hectares of deforestation. The increased population of India is one of the reasons for the country’s high rate of deforestation. Indonesia is one of the world’s biggest palm oil producers, leading to deforestation.
India has shown the most significant increase in deforestation between 1990 and 2020, with a difference of 284,400 hectares. Zambia follows with an increase of 153,460 hectares, and Tanzania with 74,000 hectares. Tanzania’s deforestation is linked to the charcoal industry. Brazil has reduced deforestation levels by 2,559,100 hectares since 1990, more than any other country. Indonesia and Mexico follow, with reductions of 1,876,000 hectares and 519,990 hectares, respectively. Cattle is the agricultural product most responsible for deforestation, with 2,105,753 hectares of forestry loss. Cattle grazing accounts for 80% of deforestation in the Amazon.
Also Read: Deforestation: Causes, Consequences, and Solutions – India CSR
(India CSR)
