The top three states showing maximum increase in forest cover are Mizoram (242 sq km) followed by Gujarat (180 sq km) and Odisha (152 sq km).
Dehradun: India’s total Forest and tree cover stands at 8,27,357sq km, which is 25.17 percent of the geographical area of the country.
As per the report “India State of Forest Report 2023” released by the Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, “The Forest Cover has an area of about 7,15,343sq km (21.76%) whereas the Tree Cover has an area of 1,12,014 sq km (3.41%)”.
As compared to assessment of 2021, there is an increase of 1445 sq km in the forest and tree cover of the country, which includes 156 sq km increase in the forest cover and 1289 sq km increase in tree cover, the report said.
Speaking at the event, the Minister expressed happiness over the fact that as compared to 2021, there is an increase of 1445 sq km in the total forest and tree cover of the country.
Bhupender Yadav also highlighted the near real time fire alerts and forest fire services provided by FSI using advance technology.
Forest and Tree cover in States
The top four states showing maximum increase in forest and tree cover are Chhattisgarh (684 sq km) followed by Uttar Pradesh (559 sq km), Odisha (559 sq km) and Rajasthan (394 sq km).
The top three states showing maximum increase in forest cover are Mizoram (242 sq km) followed by Gujarat (180 sq km) and Odisha (152 sq km).
Area wise top three states having the largest forest and tree cover are Madhya Pradesh (85,724 sq km) followed by Arunachal Pradesh (67,083 sq km) and Maharashtra (65,383 sq km).
As per Report the total mangrove cover is 4,992 sq km in the country.
The total growing stock of India’s forest and trees outside forests is estimated as 6430 million cum, of which 4479 million cum is inside the forests and 1951 million cum outside the forest area.
The report also talked about carbon sequestration,, the current assessment shows that India’s carbon stock has reached 30.43 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent; which indicates that as compared to the base year of 2005.
India has already reached 2.29 billion tonnes of additional carbon sink as against the target of 2.5 to 3.0 billion tonnes by 2030.
