The India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2023, released by the Forest Survey of India (FSI) on December 21, 2024,
It presents an encouraging picture of the nation’s forest and tree cover. The biennial assessment indicates a combined increase of 1,445 square kilometers in forest and tree cover since 2021, bringing the total to 8,27,357 square kilometers, which constitutes 25.17% of India’s geographical area.
Forest cover refers to all land that has a tree canopy density of more than 10 per cent and spans over an area of one hectare or more, regardless of the type of ownership or legal status.
This includes natural forests as well as man-made plantations, orchards and tree patches in urban and rural areas that meet the size and canopy density criteria.
Tree cover is defined as patches of trees and isolated trees outside the Reserved Forest Area (RFA) that are less than one hectare.
He further mentioned that India has achieved an additional carbon sink of 2.29 billion tonnes compared to 2005 levels.
Forest and Tree Cover Statistics
The report delineates the forest cover at 7,15,343 square kilometers (21.76% of the country’s area) and tree cover at 1,12,014 square kilometers (3.41%). Notably, forest cover has increased by 156 square kilometers, while tree cover has expanded by 1,289 square kilometers compared to the 2021 assessment.
State-wise Highlights
Several states have made significant contributions to this growth:
- Chhattisgarh: Achieved the highest combined increase in forest and tree cover, adding 684 square kilometers.
- Uttar Pradesh: Recorded an increase of 559 square kilometers.
- Odisha: Also reported a 559 square kilometer rise.
- Rajasthan: Saw an enhancement of 394 square kilometers.
In terms of forest cover alone, Mizoram led with an addition of 242 square kilometers, followed by Gujarat (180 square kilometers) and Odisha (152 square kilometers).
Top States by Forest and Tree Cover
The states with the largest forest and tree cover are:
- Madhya Pradesh: 85,724 square kilometers.
- Arunachal Pradesh: 67,083 square kilometers.
- Maharashtra: 65,383 square kilometers.
Specifically, Madhya Pradesh maintains the largest forest cover at 77,073 square kilometers, followed by Arunachal Pradesh (65,882 square kilometers) and Chhattisgarh (55,812 square kilometers)
Carbon Stock and Environmental Impact
A significant highlight of the ISFR 2023 is the increase in India’s carbon stock, now estimated at 7,285.5 million tonnes—an uptick of 81.5 million tonnes since 2021. This progress translates to an additional carbon sink of 2.29 billion tonnes compared to 2005 levels, bringing the nation closer to its Paris Agreement commitment of creating an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes by 2030.
Bamboo Resources
The report also notes an expansion in bamboo-bearing areas, now totaling 1,54,670 square kilometers—a rise of 5,227 square kilometers from the previous assessment. This growth underscores the increasing significance of bamboo in India’s forest ecosystems and its potential economic benefits.
Regional Variations
While the overall national trends are positive, certain regions have experienced declines. The northeastern states, for instance, have seen a reduction of 327.30 square kilometers in forest cover, with the total forest and tree cover now standing at 1,74,394.70 square kilometers, accounting for 67% of the region’s geographical area.
Mangrove Cover
India’s mangrove cover is reported at 4,991.68 square kilometers, reflecting a net decrease of 7.43 square kilometers since 2021. Given the critical role of mangroves in coastal protection and biodiversity, this decline may warrant focused conservation efforts.
Conclusion
The ISFR 2023 presents a largely positive trajectory for India’s forest and tree cover, highlighting the nation’s commitment to environmental sustainability and climate change mitigation. The documented increases contribute significantly to biodiversity conservation, carbon sequestration, and the livelihoods of communities dependent on forest resources. However, the regional disparities and specific declines, such as in mangrove cover, indicate areas where targeted conservation strategies are necessary to ensure balanced and inclusive ecological progress.
