Science Based Restoration of Indian Forest Ecosystems: Maximizing Biodiversity Conservation and Carbon Sequestration

Forest ecosystems serve as principal repositories of terrestrial biodiversity and major carbon sinks globally. However, widespread degradation from deforestation, mining, overgrazing, agricultural expansion and climate change, has critically impaired forest cover and ecosystem services in India. This review synthesizes restoration ecology, across tropical, temperate, alpine, mine degraded and grassland systems. It optimizes biodiversity recovery and carbon sequestration through evidence based species selection (native vs. exotic), active/ passive restoration techniques, Species Distribution Modeling (SDM), litter mediated soil recovery, invasive species control and enhanced carbon storage potential. These approaches provide a unified framework for science driven climate mitigation.