19 States and UTs Have Over 33 Percent of Area Under Forest Cover: Govt Report

Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, launched India State of Forest Report 2023 (ISFR 2023) at the Forest Research Institute, Dehradun. The biennial report, prepared by the Forest Survey of India (FSI) since 1987, delivers a comprehensive assessment of India’s forest and tree resources through satellite-based remote sensing and National Forest Inventory (NFI) field studies.

ISFR 2023, the 18th edition of the series, presents an extensive analysis of forest cover, tree cover, mangrove ecosystems, carbon stock, and other crucial environmental metrics. According to the report, India’s total Forest and Tree cover now stands at 8,27,357 sq km, representing 25.17% of the country’s geographical area. The Forest and Tree Cover has an area distributed as follows:

• Forest Cover: 7,15,343 sq km (21.76%)

• Tree Cover: 1,12,014 sq km (3.41%)

Compared to the 2021 assessment, the country has gained an additional 1445 sq km of forest and tree cover, including 156 sq km of forest cover and 1289 sq km of tree cover.

Leading Contributors to Green Growth

Several states have significantly contributed to the increase:

• Chhattisgarh recorded the highest rise with 684 sq km, followed by Uttar Pradesh and Odisha, each with 559 sq km, and Rajasthan with 394 sq km.

• In forest cover alone, Mizoram led with 242 sq km, followed by Gujarat (180 sq km) and Odisha (152 sq km).

In terms of area, the top three states with the largest forest and tree cover are:

1. Madhya Pradesh (85,724 sq km)

2. Arunachal Pradesh (67,083 sq km)

3. Maharashtra (65,383 sq km)

Percentage-wise, Lakshadweep boasts the highest forest cover relative to geographical area (91.33%), followed by Mizoram (85.34%) and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands (81.62%).

The report highlights that 19 states/UTs have more than 33% of their geographical area under forest cover. Notably, eight states/UTs, Mizoram, Lakshadweep, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Manipur boast an impressive forest cover of above 75%.

The nation’s mangrove cover stands at 4,992 sq km, while bamboo-bearing areas have grown to 1,54,670 sq km, an increase of 5,227 sq km from the previous assessment in 2021.

India’s total carbon stock in forests has risen to 7,285.5 million tonnes, showing an 81.5 million tonnes increase since the last assessment. The report underscores India’s progress towards its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) target, with the country achieving an additional carbon sink of 2.29 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalent against its 2030 target of 2.5–3.0 billion tonnes.

The ISFR 2023 serves as a critical tool for policymakers, researchers, and environmentalists, aiding efforts in conservation and sustainable management of natural resources.  Bhupender Yadav commended FSI’s advancements in technology, such as near-real-time fire alerts and forest fire services, which play a pivotal role in protecting India’s forests.

This report not only highlights the progress in preserving and enhancing India’s green cover but also reinforces the nation’s commitment to combating climate change and achieving sustainable development goals.