Over 50 Lakh Large Farmland Trees Vanished Between 2018 and 2022 in India

New Delhi: In a concerning revelation, more than 50 lakh large farmland trees vanished between 2018 and 2022 in India, primarily due to altered cultivation practices, according to new research published in the journal Nature Sustainability. The study highlights the impact of changing farming methods on India’s landscape and raises concerns about the loss of valuable agroforestry trees.

Emerging Trends and Causes:

• Agroforestry Conversion: Researchers observed a noticeable trend wherein agroforestry systems are being replaced with paddy rice fields. Despite a natural loss rate, large trees within these agroforestry areas have been removed, and trees of lower ecological value are now being cultivated in individual block plantations. These block plantations typically involve fewer species of trees.
• Decision Drivers: The decision to remove trees is often driven by the perceived low benefits of trees and concerns that shade from trees (such as neem) may adversely affect crop yields. Boosting crop yields has also contributed to the expansion of paddy rice fields, facilitated by increased water supply from new boreholes.
• Importance of Agroforestry Trees: Agroforestry trees play a crucial role in India’s landscape. They generate socio-ecological benefits and serve as a natural climate solution by absorbing carbon dioxide from the air. However, the lack of robust monitoring mechanisms has hindered understanding their distribution and vulnerability to climate change and diseases.

Research Methodology:

• The research team mapped and tracked trees across approximately 60 crore agricultural lands (excluding block plantations) over the past decade. They used AI-based deep learning models to detect individual non-forest trees each year, analyzing changes in tree crowns.
• By 2018, around 11 percent of large trees (with crown sizes of 96 square meters) had disappeared. Moreover, during the period 2018–2022, more than 5 million large farmland trees (with approximately 67 square meters crown size) vanished due partly to altered cultivation practices, where trees within fields were perceived as detrimental to crop yields.

The findings underscore the urgent need for sustainable practices that balance agricultural productivity with environmental conservation. India must prioritize preserving its agroforestry heritage to mitigate climate change and safeguard biodiversity.