Lightning as an Overlooked Driver of Forest Disturbance and Carbon Loss in Eastern India

Lightning is an increasingly consequential yet underrecognized ecological force shaping forest structure, biomass turnover, and carbon fluxes across global biomes. This study synthesizes international research on lightning-induced disturbance and applies it to the context of Eastern India’s diverse forest landscapes, including mangrove, deciduous, and montane systems. Field surveys, strike-density mapping, and community interviews reveal that lightning disproportionately affects tall canopy trees, triggers episodic fires, and contributes to wildlife fatalities—particularly in regions like the Sundarbans, Similipal, and the Eastern Ghats. Despite its ecological significance, lightning remains absent from India’s forest management policies and carbon accounting frameworks. The paper highlights the need to integrate lightning into restoration planning, MRV protocols, and early warning systems. It also proposes innovative mitigation strategies, including the use of cell phone towers as strike interceptors and nitrogen-fixation enhancers. By reframing lightning as a measurable and manageable disturbance, this work calls for a paradigm shift in how forest resilience and carbon dynamics are understood in a warming world.