The Forest Survey of India (FSI) released the 2021 State of Forest Report for India. This article provides a quick overview of the state of the forest cover in India, across several states and regions, and compares the changes in the forest cover across the country with the 2019 India State of Forest Report.
The Green Coverage
One of the key highlights of the report is the significant increase in India's forest and tree cover. According to the ISFR 2021, the total forest and tree cover in the country now stands at an impressive figure, showcasing a commendable effort in afforestation and conservation initiatives. This rise not only enhances the aesthetic beauty of the landscape but also contributes to the overall health of the environment.
Biodiversity Conservation
India is renowned for its rich biodiversity, and the ISFR 2021 provides a detailed account of the efforts made to preserve and protect the diverse flora and fauna. The report evaluates the status of various species and highlights the success stories of conservation projects. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of maintaining a delicate balance between development and biodiversity conservation to ensure a sustainable future.
Challenges and Threats
While the report celebrates the positive strides made in increasing forest cover, it also candidly addresses the challenges faced by the country. Deforestation, encroachment, and unsustainable land-use practices continue to pose threats to India's forests. Acknowledging these challenges is crucial for devising effective strategies to combat them and sustain the progress achieved.
Afforestation Initiatives
A major highlight of the ISFR 2021 is the success of various afforestation initiatives undertaken by the government and non-governmental organizations. The report details the impact of these initiatives on increasing green cover, enhancing carbon sequestration, and improving the overall ecological balance. The emphasis on community participation and sustainable practices ensures the longevity of these efforts.
Climate Change Resilience
The ISFR 2021 recognizes the critical role of forests in mitigating the impacts of climate change. Forests act as carbon sinks, helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and regulate the climate. The report sheds light on how the conservation and expansion of forest cover contribute to building resilience against the adverse effects of climate change.
Key Takeaways from the 2021 India State of Forest Report (ISFR)
The following are the report's highlights for 2021:
In the past two years, there has been a 1,540 square kilometer increase in the area covered by forests and trees.
India now has 7,13,789 square kilometers of forest cover, or 21.71% of its total land area.
From 21.67% in 2019, the forest cover has increased.
The amount of forest cover has decreased in five northeastern states: Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Nagaland.
India currently has 4,992 sq km of mangrove cover (an increase of 17 sq km).
Forest fires are a risk for 35.46 percent of the forest cover.
7,204 million tonnes of carbon are stored in India's forests overall (up 79.4 million tonnes since 2019).
53,336 million culms of bamboo forests (increased from 13,882 million culms in 2019).
The following states have the largest increases in forest cover:
Telangana (3.17%)
2.22% in Andhra Pradesh
Odisha is at 1.04%.
What Is ISFR 2021 Bringing?
Forest cover in tiger reserves, tiger corridors, and the Gir Forest—home to the Asiatic Lion—was evaluated for the first time.
Between 2011 and 2021, the forest cover in tiger corridors increased by 37.15 sq km (0.32%), while in tiger reserves, it declined by 22.6 sq km (0.04%).
With a forest cover of about 97%, the Pakke Tiger Reserve in Arunachal Pradesh has the highest percentage of any tiger reserve.
What is flagged in the ISFR 2021?
Although there has been an increase in total forest cover, the trend varies depending on the type of forest.
Natural forests or "moderately dense" forest cover have declined, while "very dense" forest cover has increased.
Reserve and protected woods with active conservation efforts are referred to as having very dense cover.
A loss in natural forests and an increase in open forest areas indicate that forests are degrading.
Experts interpret this as a sign that natural forests are deteriorating and becoming less dense open woodlands.
The amount of scrub area has increased, showing how completely the woods in these places have degraded.
reduction in the northeastern states' forest cover.
Despite making up only 7.98% of the country's total territory, the Northeast states contain 23.75% of its forest cover.
This is due to the following reasons:
Natural disasters such as landslides and intense rain
Anthropogenic activities include tree-cutting, pressure from development activities, and shifting agriculture.
Given that the Northeastern states are rich sources of biodiversity, this reduction is concerning.
A reduction in the amount of forest cover can affect the area's water catchment and cause landslides and other natural disasters to occur more frequently.
In contrast to neighboring states where the government manages the forests, the NE region's forests have a diverse ownership pattern, with community and tribe ownership making conservation efforts more difficult.
Climate change's effects
According to the report, rising temperatures and climate change will harm 45–64 percent of India's forests by 2030. The analysis projects that all states' forests—aside from Meghalaya, Assam, Tripura, and Nagaland—will be extremely susceptible areas for climate change.
The 2019 India State of Forest Report (ISFR) highlights
India's Forest Cover: The Country's Forestry Share and Total Forest Area
India's woods cover 7,12,249 sq km, or 21.67% of the country's total land area.
It is estimated that trees cover 95,027 sq km, or 2.89% of India's total land area.
The area covered by trees and forests makes up 24.56% of India's total land area.
There has been a 5.65% increase in the total area of forest and tree cover when compared to the previous estimation, which is based on the India State of Forest Report (ISFR), 2017.
The North East region has 65.05% of its land covered by forests. A total of 1,70,541 square kilometers are thought to be covered by forest cover.
The tribal districts' total land is covered in forests to the extent of 37.54%. There are 4,22,351 square kilometers of forest cover in tribal districts.
The amount of forest cover in India's hill districts is 40.30 percent of the total area, or 2,84,006 square kilometers.
The estimated total area of the nation bearing bamboo is 1,60,037 square kilometers.
The states in India having the largest amounts of forest area
The following is a list of the top 5 states in India with the largest forest areas in terms of area:
Madhya Pradesh is home to the largest forest in India in terms of area.
The state of Arunachal Pradesh
The state of Chhattisgarh
State of Odisha
Maharashtra is ranked fifth in terms of area among India's major forests.
The top 5 states in terms of forest cover as a proportion of total land area are as follows:
Mizoram: The state's woods cover 85.41 percent of its entire land area.
Arunachal Pradesh is in second place with 79.63 percent of its entire land area covered by forests.
With a percentage of 76.33% of its land covered by woods, Meghalaya comes in third position.
At 75.46%, Manipur is in fourth place.
Nagaland, at 75.31%, is in fifth place.
India's Top 5 States See an Increase in Forest Cover
The top five Indian states with the greatest increases in forest cover are mentioned below in terms of total forest cover growth:
Karnataka, with an increase of 1,025 sq km, was in top place.
With a 990 square kilometre growth, Andhra Pradesh stood in second place.
Kerala, which came in third, saw an increase in the estimated 823 square kilometers of forest cover.
When it comes to the growth in forest cover, Jammu & Kashmir is in fourth place. There has been a 371 sq km increase reported.
Ranking fifth in terms of increased forest cover is Jammu & Kashmir. There has been a 334 sq km rise.
Decline and Growth of India's Forest Cover in Various Areas
The nation's mangrove cover has grown by 1.10% to 54 sq km since the last survey.
With the exception of Assam and Tripura, the amount of forest cover in the northeast is declining. The amount of forest cover has decreased by 0.45%, or 765 square kilometers.
An estimated 544 square kilometres more of forest cover have been added to India's 140 hill districts.
In comparison with the India State of Forest Report (ISFR 2017) projection, the area bearing bamboo has increased by 3,229 sq km.
Conclusion
The India State of Forest Report 2021 paints a promising picture of the nation's commitment to environmental stewardship. It reflects the collective efforts of the government, environmentalists, and the general populace in safeguarding the country's natural heritage. However, the report is not just a celebration of achievements; it's a call to action. It urges all stakeholders to work collaboratively in addressing the persistent challenges and ensuring a sustainable and green future for India.
As we navigate the complexities of the modern world, the ISFR serves as a guiding document, reminding us that the health of our forests is intricately linked to the well-being of our planet. Through sustained efforts and a shared commitment to conservation, India can continue to be a beacon of environmental responsibility for the world to follow.
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