The India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2023, released by the Forest Survey of India, paints a picture of paradoxical progress. While India’s total forest and tree cover has shown a marginal increase, the ecological cost is hard to ignore. Biodiversity-rich areas, which are critical for sustaining ecosystems, continue to see worrying declines.
India’s forest and tree cover now stands at 8,27,357 square kilometres, covering 25.17% of the country’s geographical area. Forests account for 21.76% (7,15,343 sq km), while tree cover constitutes 3.41% (1,12,014 sq km). Since the last report in 2021, forest and tree cover has grown by 1,446 sq km, with a modest 0.2% rise in forest cover and a 1.16% jump in tree cover.
However, deeper analysis reveals a troubling reality: several states with rich biodiversity, including Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and many from the Northeast, have reported significant declines in their recorded forest areas.
The Western Ghats, Himalayan states, and the Northeast regions teeming with unique flora and fauna are among the hardest hit. Forest degradation, agricultural expansion, urbanisation, and climate change are eroding these ecological treasures.
A former Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, BK Singh, highlights a key discrepancy: India plants approximately 18,000 sq km of forests annually, but the net increase in forest and tree cover over two years is just 1,446 sq km. “Where are these plantations going?” he asks. Singh suggests two possibilities: deforestation offsets new growth, or plantation efforts are failing due to poor management or environmental stressors.
The ISFR report categorises forests into recorded forest areas (reserved and protected forests) and non-notified forests. Recorded forests show a meagre increase of 7.28 sq km, while 20 states and union territories have seen declines. In contrast, non-notified forests have grown by 149 sq km, raising questions about the sustainability of India’s conservation strategies.
Agroforestry and Urban Green Spaces
Agroforestry planting trees alongside crops has played a vital role in boosting tree cover. Urban green initiatives, though limited in scope, are contributing to local environmental benefits. However, these efforts are not enough to compensate for the loss of biodiversity in critical ecosystems.
India’s forests serve as vital carbon sinks, helping mitigate climate change. The ISFR notes an increase in mangrove cover, which provides coastal protection and supports marine biodiversity. Yet, forest fires and encroachments continue to threaten these gains.
While incremental progress is evident, experts argue for a more holistic approach to forest management. Policies must focus on:
- Restoration of degraded forests, especially in biodiversity hotspots.
- Improved monitoring of plantation success rates.
- Strengthening community participation in forest conservation.
- Addressing the impact of infrastructure projects on ecosystems.
India’s forest strategy must align with global goals, such as the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. Without urgent corrective measures, the apparent growth in forest cover may mask deeper environmental losses, jeopardising the nation’s ecological balance and biodiversity heritage.
This dual reality incremental gains and significant losses calls for a renewed commitment to safeguarding India’s natural legacy for future generations