Assessing forest cover, carbon stocks and fire dynamics in India and economic valuation of forest carbon in Asia: a meta-analysis

The study evaluates forest cover, carbon stocks, and fire dynamics in India while simultaneously examining the economic value of forest carbon in Asia through a comprehensive meta-analysis. The integration of forest cover and fire dynamics data with economic valuation may provide a holistic viewpoint that combines both ecological and economic perspectives. However, very few studies have delved into this dual approach so far. Here, we utilized data from the Forest Survey of India, the National Forest Policy, and various primary investigations. The analysis revealed that, as of 2021, India has a total forest cover of 80.9 million hectares, making up 24.62% of the nation’s total geographical area. The status of carbon stock in Indian forests reveals dynamic changes in carbon storage across various components. The total forest carbon stock increased by 79.4 million tonnes from 2019 to 2021, reflecting a positive trend in carbon sequestration capacity. Additionally, the research delved into forest fire activities, showing a twofold increase in incidents nationwide in 2020–2021. MODIS-derived forest fire data revealed that between 2019–2020 and 2020–2021, Indian states like Uttarakhand, Jharkhand, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, and Himachal Pradesh saw dramatic surges in forest fire detections, with increases exceeding 500%, and in some cases, over 1000%. Several other states also experienced significant rises, including Madhya Pradesh (413%), Uttar Pradesh (321%), Odisha (300%), Maharashtra (290%), West Bengal (289%), Sikkim (240%), and Punjab (229%), emphasizing the urgency of targeted fire management strategies. Furthermore, the forest plot showed that the economic value of the forest carbon/hectare in Asian countries was estimated at US$ 1632, with substantial heterogeneity among countries. Overall, the study offers valuable information about India’s ecological landscape and the economic value of forest carbon in Asia. The findings will assist legislators, academics, and conservationists in developing approaches toward forest protection and management in terms of mitigating climate change and sustaining the economy.