Overview

• The study reports forest photosynthetic efficiency declined about 5% in 2010–2019 compared with 2000–2009.
• Declines are most severe in the Eastern Himalaya, Western Ghats, and the Indo-Gangetic Plain.
• Only about 16% of assessed forests retain high integrity and resilience.
• Authors link the weakening to reduced soil moisture and higher temperatures, plus wildfires, landslides, deforestation, mining and other development.
• The paper warns of weakening carbon sinks that could hinder India’s 2070 net-zero plans and urges preservation of indigenous forests, sustainable management, scientific afforestation, emissions cuts and advanced carbon capture.