THE CORRELATIONS BETWEEN HEATWAVE EVENTS AND DEFORESTATION IN RAJASTHAN FROM 2000 TO 2024: AN ANALYTICAL STUDY

Rajasthan, characterized by its semi-arid to arid climate and extreme temperature trends, has been increasingly affected by the rising frequency and intensity of heatwaves over the past two decades. This study analyzes the relationship between heatwave events and deforestation in Rajasthan during the period 2000–2024. Based on data obtained from the Forest Survey of India (FSI) and the NASA POWER datasets, regression analysis was employed in this research. The results indicate that Rajasthan's total forest cover increased by only 1.11% (181.21 sq. km) between 2001 and 2023, while some districts (such as Chittorgarh and Banswara) witnessed up to a 30% decline. During the same period, there was a significant increase in heatwave events, particularly in desert districts such as Karauli, Jaisalmer, and Barmer. The regression analysis revealed a moderate positive correlation (R = 0.466, R² = 21.7%), suggesting that reduction in forest cover is a significant factor contributing to the rise in heatwave occurrences. The ANOVA results (p-value = 0.0063<0.05) confirmed the statistical significance of this relationship. In conclusion, this study affirms the connection between deforestation and heatwaves in Rajasthan, though other factors like climate change and urbanization also play a role. The research underscores the need for forest conservation and climate adaptation policies.