India’s Forest And Tree Cover Grows By 1,445 Square Kilometers, But Concerns Over Quality Persist

India’s total forest and tree cover has grown by 1,445 square kilometers, an area roughly equivalent to the size of Delhi, according to the latest State of Forest Report (SFR) released by the government on Saturday. The new data shows that India’s green cover now spans 827,357 square kilometers, or 25.17% of the country’s geographical area. While this represents a positive shift, the report also uncovers a complex picture, where growth in cover through plantations contrasts with significant degradation in natural forests.

Plantations Drive Growth, But Degradation Continues In Natural Forests

The biennial report, delayed by over a year, reveals that the bulk of the forest cover increase—149.13 square kilometers out of a total 156.41 square kilometers—has come from plantations and agroforestry, rather than from natural forests. While this expansion is notable, it raises concerns about the quality of India’s forest resources.

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Despite the increase in total forest area, over 92,000 square kilometers of natural forests have degraded from dense to open categories in the past decade. This suggests that while the country has made strides in increasing its green cover, the quality and ecological health of many of its forests are diminishing.

Carbon Sequestration Progress And Climate Goals

During the report’s launch at the Forest Research Institute in Dehradun, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav highlighted India’s progress in carbon sequestration. The report shows an increase of 149.42 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent carbon stock compared to previous assessments. India’s total carbon stock has now reached 30.43 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent, moving closer to its target under the Paris Agreement to create 2.5 to 3.0 billion tonnes of additional carbon sink by 2030.

“I am happy to introduce the achievements made by our country in an important area of carbon sequestration,” Yadav remarked. He also expressed confidence that India will meet its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to the United Nations Climate Change Convention (UNCCC).

Worsening Forest Quality Despite Growth In Area

While the total area of India’s forests has increased, the report’s granular data paints a concerning picture for natural forests. The Forest Survey of India (FSI) notes that within recorded forest areas (RFAs), the loss of moderately dense and open forests is significant. Over the past decade, India has lost 1,234.95 square kilometers of moderately dense forests and 1,189.27 square kilometers of open forests. While very dense forests saw a rise of 2,431.50 square kilometers, this overall shift suggests a decline in forest quality.

Regional Disparities In Forest Cover

The report also reveals regional disparities in forest and tree cover. Madhya Pradesh leads the country with the largest forest cover, totaling 85,724 square kilometers, followed by Arunachal Pradesh (67,083 square kilometers) and Maharashtra (65,383 square kilometers). Meanwhile, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, and Rajasthan saw the largest increases in combined forest and tree cover.

However, some states recorded significant declines in forest cover, with Madhya Pradesh experiencing the largest loss, followed by Karnataka, Ladakh, and Nagaland. In particular, the northeastern region—home to 67% of its land area covered by forests—has seen a troubling decline of 327.30 square kilometers in the past two years.

Eco-Sensitive Areas And Mangroves See Declines

Concerns also extend to India’s eco-sensitive areas, particularly the Western Ghats, which have lost 58.22 square kilometers of forest cover in the past decade. The region saw increases in very dense forests, but losses in moderately dense and open forests suggest a changing forest structure.

Meanwhile, mangrove ecosystems, vital for coastal protection, showed a national decrease of 7.43 square kilometers, with Gujarat leading the decline at 36.39 square kilometers. However, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra showed slight gains in mangrove cover.

Policy Implications And Forest Protection Concerns

The release of the report comes at a time of significant policy debate over the Van Amendment Act 2023, which exempts “unrecorded” deemed and unclassified forests from protection. These forests, which comprise 16.6% of India’s total forest cover, have sparked controversy and legal challenges. The Supreme Court has issued an interim order upholding the broader definition of forests from the 1996 Godavarman judgment, raising concerns about the long-term protection of India’s forest resources.

Fire Incidents And New Developments In Forest Monitoring

The report also includes updated fire monitoring data, showing a decrease in fire hotspots from 223,333 in 2021-22 to 203,544 in 2023-24. States such as Uttarakhand, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh recorded the highest number of fire incidents.

Additionally, the report highlights growth in agroforestry, with a 20.02% increase in tree green cover under agroforestry since 2013. The bamboo-bearing area has also grown by 5,227 square kilometers, reaching 154,670 square kilometers in 2023.

A Comprehensive Resource For Policymakers And Conservationists

Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav emphasized the importance of the report, stating that it serves as a critical resource for policymakers, planners, researchers, and civil society involved in natural resource management. He stressed the need for continued monitoring and analysis of India’s forests to guide future conservation efforts.

“Understanding the status of our forest resources is essential for informed policy-making and for strengthening our relationship with nature,” Yadav concluded.