New Delhi: The India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2021 released on Thursday said the country’s forest and tree cover has risen by 2,261 square kilometers in the last two years.
Andhra Pradesh grows the maximum forest cover of 647 square kilometers, according to the biennial report by the Forest Survey of India (FSI) - an assessment of the country’s forest resources.
Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, who released this report, said the total tree-and-forest cover in the country includes an increase of 1,540 square kilometers of forest cover and 721 square kilometers of tree cover compared to the 2019 report.
Asserting it is “very satisfying” to know that the tree and forest cover has increased in India, Yadav said the report also touches aspects which are important in terms of climate change.
Yadav said that his ministry has taken several decisions for increasing forest conservation and people participation with the country entering “second phase of the Green Mission”.
“To achieve India’s aim of increasing additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes CO2 equivalent by 2030, Nagar Van Yojna has been introduced to increase the tree cover and joined with the second phase of Green Mission in the next five years,” Yadav said in his address, PTI reported.
“Hon'ble Union Minister for EF&CC, Shri @byadavbjp released the India State of Forest Report 2021 today, at Indira Paryawaran Bhawan. Secretary, Ms Leena Nandan, DGF&SS, Mr Chandra Prakash Goyal & ADGF, Dr S.P. Yadav with other Senior officers were also present at the Launch,” the ministry tweeted.
The Union Environment Minister said the forest officials and frontline staff play a huge role in “saving our forests and work under difficult circumstances”.
He added the Environment Ministry is working to provide them job security and help in their capacity building.
Emphasizing the need for generous tree plantation by private sector to reduce the burden on forests, Yadav said: “To reduce the burden on our forests, the private sector should ensure maximum tree plantation. For this, our department has initiated a consultation process.”
“Under the Forest Conservation Act, we invited suggestions from people and have received over 5,000 responses. Our biggest aim is to maintain the quality of forests and increase the green cover,” he added.
India’s total forest and tree cover, as per the report, is now spread across 80.9 million hectares, which is 24.62 percent of the country’s geographical area.
According to the report, the top five states in terms of increase in forest cover are Andhra Pradesh (647 square kilometers), Telangana (632 square kilometers), Odisha (537 square kilometers), Karnataka (155 square kilometers) and Jharkhand (110 square kilometers).
The report said the gain in forest cover or improvement in forest canopy density may be attributed to better conservation measures, protection, afforestation activities, tree plantation drives and agroforestry.
Madhya Pradesh, as per area-wise, has the largest forest cover in India followed by Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Maharashtra.
As part of the report, the Forest Survey of India (FSI), also performed a study based on ‘Mapping of Climate Change Hotspots in Indian Forests’ in collaboration with Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) Pilani, Goa Campus.