India, Sept. 17 -- India's green cover may be rising due to afforestation programs across the country but the health of our forests is declining as trees are not being able to properly carry out photosynthesis, claims a new study by scientists of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Kharagpur.

The degradation of forests may threaten biodiversity, timber production, livelihoods of forest dwellers and long-term climate resilience, the scientists have warned.

"While India is adding more greenery and contributing to global terrestrial carbon sequestration, its forest health is steadily declining due to reduced photosynthetic efficiency," said Jayanarayanan Kuttippurath, associate professor at Centre for Ocean, River, Atmosphere and L...