India’s forest cover increases but declines in biodiversity-rich areas
The Forest of Survey of India report indicates a troubling situation in ecological hotspots such as the Western Ghats and the Himalayan states.
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The Forest Survey of India has released its 18th India State of Forest Report, indicating a marginal increase in India’s forest and tree cover. However, a concerning trend shows a decline in forest cover across several biodiversity-rich areas.
The report, released a year later than scheduled, highlights trends in forest cover change, degradation, agroforestry, carbon sink, mangroves, and forest fires. According to the report, India’s total forest and tree cover is 8,27,357 square kilometres, accounting for 25.17% of the country’s geographical area. This includes 7,15,343 sq km (21.76%) of forest cover and 1,12,014 sq km (3.41%) of tree cover.
The report claims an increase of 1,446 square km in forest and tree cover since 2021, comprising a forest cover increase of 156 sq km (0.2%) and a tree cover increase of 1,289 sq km (1.16%). It categorises forest data into recorded forest areas which largely consists of the reserved forests and protected forests and non-notified forests.
While recorded forest areas show a minor increase of 7.28 sq km, 20 states and union territories report a decline in the category. States like Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and the majority of North East states have registered negative growth in the recorded...
