Forest Conservation Efforts – NFP, Western Ghats, etc.

Union Minister Releases India State of Forest Report, 2023

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Mains level: Forest Cover in India;

Why in the News?

The India State of Forest Report 2023 (ISFR 2023) was released by the Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, at the Forest Research Institute in Dehradun.

What is the Forest Survey of India (FSI)?

  • Forest Survey of India (FSI) is an organisation under the Ministry of Environment & Forests, Government of India Its principal mandate is to conduct survey and assessment of forest resources in the country. ​
  • It started as an organization called Pre- Investment Survey of Forest Resources (PISFR) in 1965 as FAO/UNDP/GOI Project.

What is India’s State of Forest Report?

  • This report, published biennially by the Forest Survey of India (FSI) since 1987, provides a detailed assessment of the country’s forest and tree resources using satellite data and field surveys.
  • The 2023 edition marks the 18th report in this series.

What are the major highlights of the Report?

  • Total Forest and Tree Cover: India’s total forest and tree cover is 827,357 sq km, representing 25.17% of the country’s geographical area, with 715,343 sq km (21.76%) as forest cover and 112,014 sq km (3.41%) as tree cover.
  • Increase in Forest and Tree Cover: Since 2021, there has been an increase of 1,445 sq km in total forest and tree cover, including a 156 sq km rise in forest cover and a 1,289 sq km increase in tree cover.
  • Top States for Increase: The states with the largest increases in forest and tree cover are Chhattisgarh (+684 sq km), Uttar Pradesh (+559 sq km), Odisha (+559 sq km), and Rajasthan (+394 sq km).
  • States with Largest Forest Areas: The states with the most forest and tree cover are Madhya Pradesh (85,724 sq km), Arunachal Pradesh (67,083 sq km), and Maharashtra (65,383 sq km).
  • Mangrove Cover: India’s total mangrove cover is 4,992 sq km, reflecting ongoing efforts in mangrove conservation.
  • Growing Stock and Bamboo Resources: The total growing stock has increased by 262 million cubic meters, and the bamboo-bearing area has expanded by 5,227 sq km, totaling 154,670 sq km.
  • Carbon Stock and Sequestration: India’s forest carbon stock is estimated at 7,285.5 million tonnes, with an increase of 81.5 million tonnes. The country has exceeded its carbon sequestration targets under the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC), reaching a carbon stock of 30.43 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent.
  • Technological Advancements: The Forest Survey of India (FSI) has implemented advanced technology for real-time fire alerts and forest fire services, improving forest management and conservation practices.

Way forward: 

  • Strengthen Conservation Efforts and Management: Enhance forest management practices, focusing on sustainable forest use, biodiversity conservation, and tackling deforestation, while increasing the involvement of local communities in conservation initiatives.
  • Expand Technological Innovations and Monitoring: Continue leveraging advanced technologies for real-time monitoring of forest health, including fire alerts, and expand data-driven approaches to improve forest protection, carbon sequestration, and restoration efforts.

Mains PYQ:

Q Examine the status of forest resources of India and its resultant impact on climate change. (UPSC IAS/2020)

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