Soil acts as carbon (C) sink as it stores more C than it releases. Soil stores C primarily as soil organic carbon (SOC) in soil organic matter (SOM). SOC, which comprises about 58% of SOM, is the basis of major soil functions. Depletion of SOC disrupts soil functions and affects ecosystem services including food supply. Forests are considered the most important terrestrial carbon sink as they store more than 75% of terrestrial carbon and help to mitigate carbon dioxide (CO2) and emission of other greenhouse gases (GHGs). Carbon sequestration is the most important ecosystem service provided by forests as it contains about 90% of all terrestrial biota biomass. Forest trees absorb CO2 from the atmosphere through photosynthesis, storing it in their biomass and the surrounding soil. This natural mechanism is crucial in mitigating climate change by reducing GHG's concentrations. Degradation of forests resulting from several processes like selective logging, invasive species, fire and unsustainable land management practices for agriculture and other human needs compromise overall ecological functions of the forest, leading to diminished biodiversity, impaired soil quality and reduced C sequestration capacity. Approximately one billion hectares of forests, or about 25% of the world’s forest area, are classified as degraded, which can lead to habitat loss for many species and threaten the survival of various plants and animals, contributing to an increased risk of extinction. Forest degradation involves the deterioration of forest quality, resulting from activities like unsustainable logging, agricultural encroachment and climate change. This process significantly affects soil carbon dynamics by reducing SOC levels, as less organic matter is returned to the soil. Forest degradation is often considered to be the most pressing problem, compared to forest loss. Degraded forests emit CO2, contributing to GHG emissions due to the disturbance of soil structure and loss of microbial diversity vital for C cycling. Natural or accelerated deforestation due to drastic land use change for human needs also leads to significant C depletion by dismantling forests. The loss of forest areas also heightens the risk of soil erosion, leading to a degradation of soil health. Overall, forest degradation diminishes the Earth’s capacity to sequester C and exacerbates the climate crisis, necessitating urgent efforts to protect and restore forest ecosystems. Restoring forests and implementing sustainable management practices and policy interventions are essential for mitigating these impacts and enhancing soil C storage. This chapter emphasizes various aspects of forest degradation on soil C and its possible mitigation options.