Wood requirement for Indian industries is

Options

A. 10 million `m^(3)`
B. 20 million `m^(3)`
C. 30 million `m^(3)`
D. 40 million `m^(3)`

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding the Context**: The question asks about the wood requirement for Indian industries. This involves analyzing both domestic and international timber supply and demand.

2. **Identifying Demand Trends**: According to the data, the demand for timber in India was projected to increase significantly. In 2005, the demand was estimated at 58 million cubic meters, and it was expected to rise to 153 million cubic meters by 2020.

3. **Identifying Supply Trends**: The supply of timber was projected to increase from 29 million cubic meters in 2002 to 69 million cubic meters in 2020. This indicates a gap between supply and demand.

4. **Analyzing Options**: The question provides multiple-choice options for the wood requirement:
- 10 million cubic meters
- 20 million cubic meters
- 30 million cubic meters
- 40 million cubic meters

5. **Evaluating the Options**:
- The first two options (10 million and 20 million cubic meters) are too low compared to the projected requirements.
- The third option (30 million cubic meters) is close to the lower end of the supply projection (29 million cubic meters) but does not reflect the higher demand.
- The last option (40 million cubic meters) is the most reasonable as it is closer to the projected supply and demand figures, particularly as the demand was expected to reach around 60 million cubic meters by 2020.

6. **Conclusion**: Based on the analysis of supply and demand, the wood requirement for Indian industries is best estimated at **40 million cubic meters**.

---