The Ministry for Environment, Forest and Climate Change recently released the 18th edition of the India State of Forest Report 2023 (ISFR 2023).
This report, published by the Forest Survey of India (FSI), is an important document that provides key insights into the health and growth of forests across India.
The ISFR has been released every two years since 1987, offering valuable information on forest cover, biodiversity, and conservation efforts in the country.
In this blog post, we will explore the highlights of ISFR 2023, including the current status of India’s forests, key trends, and the challenges that lie ahead for forest conservation in the nation. Stay tuned as we dive into the crucial findings and what they mean for the future of India’s green cover.
Key findings of State of Forest Report 2023
- The total forest and tree cover of India is 8,27,356.95 km², which accounts for 25.17% of the country’s geographical area.
- Forest Cover covers 7,15,342.61 km², which is 21.76% of India’s geographical area.
- Tree Cover spans 1,12,014.34 km², making up 3.41% of the country’s geographical area (GA).
| Class | Area (km²) | Percentage of GA |
|---|---|---|
| Forest Cover | 7,15,342.61 | 21.76% |
| Tree Cover | 1,12,014.34 | 3.41% |
| Total Forest and Tree Cover | 8,27,356.95 | 25.17% |
| Scrub | 43,622.64 | 1.33% |
| Non-Forest | 24,16,489.29 | 73.50% |
| Geographical Area of the Country | 32,87,468.88 | 100.00% |
- Increase in Forest and Tree Cover:
- The total forest and tree cover has increased by 1,445.81 km² compared to 2021.
- Forest cover rose by 156.41 km².
- Maximum Increase in Forest and Tree Cover:
- Chhattisgarh: 684 km²
- Uttar Pradesh: 559 km²
- Odisha: 559 km²
- Rajasthan: 394 km²
- Maximum Increase in Forest Cover:
- Mizoram: 242 km²
- Gujarat: 180 km²
- Odisha: 152 km²
- Largest Decrease in Forest and Tree Cover:
- Madhya Pradesh: 612.41 km²
- Karnataka: 459.36 km²
- Ladakh: 159.26 km²
- Nagaland: 125.22 km²
- Top Three States with Largest Forest Cover:
- Madhya Pradesh: 77,073 km²
- Arunachal Pradesh: 65,882 km²
- Chhattisgarh: 55,812 km²
- States/UTs with Highest Forest Cover (Percentage of Geographical Area):
- Lakshadweep: 91.33%
- Mizoram: 85.34%
- Andaman & Nicobar Islands: 81.62%
- High Forest Cover:
- 19 states/UTs have more than 33% of their geographical area under forest cover.
- 8 states/UTs have over 75% forest cover:
- Mizoram
- Lakshadweep
- Andaman & Nicobar Islands
- Arunachal Pradesh
- Nagaland
- Meghalaya
- Tripura
- Manipur
- Carbon Stock:
- India’s total forest carbon stock is 7,285.5 million tonnes, with an increase of 81.5 million tonnes since 2021.
- Top 3 states by carbon stock:
- Arunachal Pradesh: 1,021 Mt
- Madhya Pradesh: 608 Mt
- Chhattisgarh: 505 Mt
- India’s Carbon Stock CO2 Equivalent:
- 30.43 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent, exceeding the 2005 base year by 2.29 billion tonnes, nearing the 2030 target of 2.5–3.0 billion tonnes.
- Regional Performance:
- Western Ghats Eco-Sensitive Areas (WGESA): 60,285.61 km² with 73% (44,043.99 km²) under forest cover.
- Northeastern Region: 1,74,394.70 km² forest and tree cover, which is 67% of the total geographical area of these states.
- Mangrove Cover:
- India’s mangrove cover is 4,991.68 km², which is 0.15% of the total geographical area.
- There was a net decrease of 7.43 km² in mangrove cover since 2021.
- Gujarat saw a decrease of 36.39 km², while Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra experienced increases of 13.01 km² and 12.39 km², respectively.
🔹Don’t Miss: Top 5 States with Highest Mangrove Cover
- Forest Fire:
- The states with the highest number of fire incidents in the 2023-24 season are Uttarakhand, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh.
- Total Bamboo Bearing Area: 1,54,670 km², with an increase of 5,227 km² compared to ISFR 2021.
- Top States with Maximum Bamboo Bearing Area:
- Madhya Pradesh: 20,421 km²
- Arunachal Pradesh: 18,424 km²
- Maharashtra: 13,572 km²
- Odisha: 12,328 km²
- Top States with Maximum Bamboo Bearing Area:
India’s Forest and Climate Commitments: Key Highlights and Global Standing
- Paris Agreement Commitments:
- India has pledged to create an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent by 2030 through increased forest and tree cover, as part of its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) under the Paris Climate Change Agreement.
- Bonn Challenge:
- India has committed to restoring 26 million hectares of degraded land by 2030 under the Bonn Challenge.
- Livelihood Support:
- India’s forests support the livelihoods of about 17% of the global human population and 18% of the world’s total livestock.
- Global Standing:
- According to the Global Forest Resource Assessment (GFRA, 2020) published by the FAO, India is ranked among the top 10 countries in terms of forest area and holds the 3rd position for the highest annual net gain in forest cover between 2010-2020.
Trend in Forestry Parameters Between 2013-2023
Increase in Greenery:
- The forest cover of the country has increased by 16,630.25 km².
- The tree cover has expanded by 20,747.34 km².
- Mangrove cover has grown by 296.33 km².
Soil Health:
- There has been a general improvement in soil health, with 87.16% of soil being classified as shallow to deep, up from 83.53% in 2013.
- Soil organic carbon has risen from 55.85 tonnes per hectare to 56.08 tonnes per hectare, enhancing soil structure and stability.
- Soil organic carbon contributes to soil aggregation, improving the overall quality of soil.
Biotic Influences:
- Biotic influences on forests have decreased to 26.66% from 31.28% in 2013.
- This indicates improved floral biodiversity and a healthier environment for faunal biodiversity.
- Biotic influences include human activities and natural events such as grazing, browsing, man-made fire, pollarding, illicit felling, and lopping.
About Forest Survey of India (FSI)
- Established: On 1st June 1981, FSI succeeded the Pre Investment Survey of Forest Resources (PISFR), which was initiated in 1965.
- Origin: The creation of FSI followed the National Commission on Agriculture’s (NCA) recommendation in 1976 to establish a National Forest Survey Organization.
- PISFR: Initiated in 1965 by the Government of India, with sponsorship from FAO and UNDP.
- Parent Organization: Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India.
- Primary Objective: The primary aim of FSI is to assess and monitor the forest resources of India on a regular basis.
- Additional Services: FSI also provides training, research, and extension services.
- Headquarters: Located in Dehradun, FSI operates with four regional offices in Shimla, Kolkata, Nagpur, and Bangalore.
- Eastern Zone Sub Centre: Burnihat (Meghalaya) serves as a sub-centre for the Eastern zone.
Conclusion
The 18th India State of Forest Report 2023 underscores positive developments in the country’s forest and tree cover, carbon stock, and soil health. However, it also highlights ongoing challenges, such as forest fires and mangrove loss. India’s dedication to meeting its global climate commitments, including those outlined in the Paris Agreement and the Bonn Challenge, demonstrates the nation’s continuous efforts toward environmental conservation and sustainable development. These achievements reflect India’s active role in combating climate change and preserving its natural resources for future generations.
