Forest Report 2023: Hidden Truths About India’s Green Cover

Forest Report 2023

India’s latest India State of Forest Report 2023 report shows the country’s total forest and tree cover has reached 8,27,356.95 square kilometers. This area makes up 25.17% of India’s geographical expanse and places the nation among the world’s top 10 countries by forest coverage. The forest survey of India, conducted as part of the national forest inventory, provides crucial insights into the state of the country’s green resources.

The ISFR 2023 report breaks down this green coverage into two main categories. Actual forest cover accounts for 21.76% while tree cover comprises 3.41%. States like Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, and Odisha have shown remarkable gains in their forest areas. These forests serve as a vital resource that supports about 17% of the world’s human population and 18% of global livestock. The picture isn’t entirely positive though. States such as Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, and Nagaland have seen notable decreases in their forest cover. This piece dives deep into these numbers to understand what they mean for India’s environmental future.

India’s Forest and Tree Cover in 2023

The ISFR 2023 report paints a detailed picture of India’s forest landscape. A deeper look at state-wise data tells us much more about our nation’s green wealth than just the headline numbers.

Total forest cover in India 2023: Key figures

The latest forest cover mapping shows India has 8,27,356.95 sq km of forest and tree cover, which makes up 25.17% of the country’s total land area. The forest cover takes up 7,13,789 sq km (21.76%) and tree cover spans 1,13,568 sq km (3.41%). The forest cover breaks down into three density categories: Very Dense Forests at 1,00,819 sq km, Moderately Dense Forests at 3,06,890 sq km, and Open Forests at 3,06,080 sq km.

The ISFR 2023 report also shows 1,736 sq km of scrub vegetation. Each person in India has about 0.06 hectares of forest and tree cover to their name.

State-wise forest cover: Top gainers and losers

Forest cover varies greatly between states. Madhya Pradesh has the largest recorded forest area (77,493 sq km), with Arunachal Pradesh (66,430 sq km) and Chhattisgarh (55,611 sq km) next in line. Mizoram leads in percentage terms with 84.53% of its land under forest cover. Arunachal Pradesh follows at 79.33% and Meghalaya at 76.00%.

Recent changes show Andhra Pradesh gained the most forest cover (+647 sq km). Chhattisgarh (+532 sq km) and Odisha (+537 sq km) also saw good growth. Some states lost forest cover – Madhya Pradesh (-490 sq km), Manipur (-249 sq km), and Nagaland (-235 sq km).

Classification: Very Dense, Moderately Dense, Open Forest

India’s forest survey puts forests into three main groups based on canopy density:

1. Very Dense Forests (VDF): Areas with canopy density of 70% or more
2. Moderately Dense Forests (MDF): Areas with canopy density between 40% and 70%
3. Open Forests (OF): Areas with canopy density between 10% and 40%

This system helps track forest quality beyond just area numbers. Very Dense Forests make up 14.1% of India’s total forest cover. Moderately Dense Forests account for 43% and Open Forests take up 42.9%.

Tree cover vs forest cover: What’s the difference?

The India State of Forest Report 2023 report talks about both tree cover and forest cover, but they mean different things. Forest cover means any land over 1 hectare with tree canopy density above 10%. This counts orchards, bamboo, and palm plantations, whatever their ownership or legal status.

Tree cover means smaller patches of trees (less than 1 hectare) outside recorded forest areas. These could be trees along roads, canals, in small woodlots, or settlements. The national forest inventory includes these trees outside forest areas to provide a comprehensive picture of India’s green resources. India’s total forest cover in 2023 combines these two measurements.

Table: State-wise forest and tree cover comparison

These numbers show why we need to look at both forest and tree cover to understand a state’s green resources. States with smaller forest areas can still have impressive coverage compared to their size.

Carbon Stock and Climate Commitments

The world’s forests do more than just cover land – they serve as vital carbon sinks that help reduce climate change. The ISFR 2023 report shows how India’s forests act as important carbon reservoirs that make a big difference in reaching the nation’s climate goals and promoting environmental sustainability.

India’s total carbon stock in 2023

The forest survey of India brings good news. Our country’s forests now hold 7,285.5 million tons of carbon stock. This number shows an increase of 81.5 million tons from the last time we checked. These numbers tell us our forest ecosystems are getting healthier. Carbon stock shows how much carbon forests store through biomass, soil organic carbon, deadwood, and litter. This measures how well forests can absorb and store carbon dioxide from the air. Our forests now hold 30.43 billion tons of CO2 equivalent, which shows they play a big part in fighting climate change.

Top states by carbon stock volume

Arunachal Pradesh stands out with the highest carbon stock of 1,021 million tons. This northeastern state takes care of about 14.38% of India’s total carbon storage. Its exceptional 79% forest cover makes it India’s biggest carbon sink. Madhya Pradesh comes next with 608 million tons, then Chhattisgarh with 505 million tons, and Maharashtra with 465 million tons. Some states have shown remarkable growth in their carbon stocks. Assam grew by 53%, Himachal Pradesh by 43%, Jammu and Kashmir by 40%, and Uttarakhand by 30%.

In spite of that, some states have lost ground. Karnataka saw its carbon stock drop by 20% compared to earlier measurements. Madhya Pradesh followed with a 15% decrease. Several states including Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, and Gujarat showed 10-14% lower forest carbon stocks.

Progress toward Paris Agreement targets

India made a promise under the Paris Agreement. We said we’d create an extra carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tons of CO2 equivalent by 2030 through better forests and tree cover. We also promised to fix damaged forests to increase carbon storage under the Bonn Challenge. Our hard work shows results – we’ve already added 2.29 billion tons compared to 2005. This puts us ahead of schedule for our 2030 goal. We’ve likely passed the 2.5 billion tons mark already, thanks to yearly increases of around 150 million tons between 2017-2021.

Our forests and land use trapped about 522 million tons of CO2 in 2020. This reduced the country’s total emissions by 22%. Mangrove forests covering 4,992 km² currently store 702.42 million tons of CO2 equivalent. These forests could store up to 748.17 million tons by 2030.

State-wise carbon stock and changes since 2021

The India State of Forest Report 2023 report shows we’re storing more carbon each year. This matches our promise to meet our Nationally Determined Contribution goals. These results matter even more because India only accounts for 4% of all greenhouse gasses ever released globally, even though we have about 17% of the world’s people.

Ecosystem-Specific Trends and Concerns

The ISFR 2023 report shows positive overall trends, yet India’s diverse ecosystems face unique challenges. A closer look at ecosystem-specific data shows concerning patterns that national statistics might overlook.

Mangrove cover: Gains and losses

The total mangrove cover in India reaches 4,991.68 sq km, which represents 0.15% of the country’s geographical area. Mangroves increased by 16.68 sq km between 2019 and 2023. West Bengal leads the nation with 2,119.16 sq km of mangrove cover (42.45% of national total). Gujarat follows with 1,164.06 sq km (23.32%), and Andaman & Nicobar Islands contribute 608.29 sq km (12.19%). Some states showed remarkable growth – Andhra Pradesh gained 17.43 sq km while Goa added 5.34 sq km of mangroves. The picture isn’t entirely positive as Gujarat lost 12.94 sq km, and Maharashtra experienced a decline of 4.91 sq km. Udupi district led Karnataka’s mangrove expansion of 2.54 sq km from 2021 to 2023, contributing 1.67 sq km to this growth.

Western Ghats: Forest loss and dense forest growth

The forest survey of India has conducted its first specific assessment of the Western Ghats Eco-Sensitive Area (WGESA), which spans approximately 60,285.61 sq km. This region has lost 58.22 sq km of forest cover in the last decade. The area presents a mixed picture with an increase of 3,465.12 sq km in very dense forest, while losing 1,043.23 sq km of moderately dense forest and 2,480.11 sq km of open forest. Tamil Nadu’s Nilgiris region suffered the most significant decline, losing 123.44 sq km of forest compared to 2013. Maharashtra’s Pune district recorded a 664.90 sq km reduction, while Kerala’s Idukki district lost 97.94 sq km.

Northeast India: Shrinking green cover

Northeast India’s states make up just 7.98% of the country’s land area but contribute 21.08% of India’s total forest and tree cover. The ISFR 2023 report indicates a reduction of 327.30 sq km in forest cover since 2021. The region’s forest loss in the last decade (2013-2023) amounts to 3,877 sq km, comparable to Goa’s entire area. Arunachal Pradesh shows the largest decline with 1,084.52 sq km of forest cover lost in the past decade. The forest cover reduced by 794.88 sq km (6.11%) in Nagaland, while Manipur lost 375.7 sq km.

Region-wise forest cover changes (2013–2023)

Forest Fires, Bamboo, and Agroforestry

The ISFR 2023 report highlights three crucial aspects of India’s forest management strategy: forest fires, bamboo resources, and agroforestry. These key areas show interesting trends worth exploring.

Forest fire hotspots: 2023–24 season overview

India’s forested landscapes saw fewer fire incidents, with fire hotspots dropping to 203,544 in 2023-24 from 223,333 in 2021-22. Better forest fire management protocols nationwide led to this improvement. The highest fire incidences came from Uttarakhand, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh during this period. Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir showed significant increases from the previous year, while Goa and Karnataka reported major decreases. The response time improved remarkably – teams extinguished 67% of major fires within 24 hours in 2023-24, up from 33% in the previous season.

Bamboo cover: New additions and top states

Bamboo-bearing areas now span 154,670 sq km across India, showing a growth of 5,227 sq km since the 2021 assessment. The country’s bamboo diversity stands impressive with 125 indigenous and 11 exotic species thriving everywhere except Kashmir. The national forest inventory includes detailed mapping of bamboo bearing areas, providing crucial data for sustainable management of this valuable resource.

Agroforestry and trees outside forests

Trees beyond traditional forests play a big role in India’s timber resources. The country’s total growing stock reaches 6,430 million cum, with 4,479 million cum inside forests and 1,951 million cum outside. Trees outside forests show an annual potential production of 91.51 million cum. The ISFR 2023 report emphasizes the importance of these trees outside forest areas in contributing to India’s overall green cover and timber resources.

State-wise bamboo and agroforestry statistics

Critical Insights and Data Gaps

The ISFR 2023 report shows promising numbers, but questions about methodology raise doubts about India’s reported green progress. A closer look at the data shows major gaps that might not tell the full story of our forest health.

Concerns over forest definition and classification

The forest survey of India uses a methodology that includes orchards and gardens of one hectare or more with 10% canopy cover, which aren’t really forests. This means coconut, oil palm, and rubber plantations count as forest cover, making the numbers look better than they are. Tree cover has mostly increased because of plantations, where mango orchards make up 13.25% and coconut groves add another 4.37%.

Natural forests vs plantations: Why it matters

The difference between natural forests and plantations is vital yet often ignored. Both add to green cover but serve very different ecological roles. Natural forests support much more biodiversity than even mixed-species plantations.

Missing indicators: Biodiversity and forest health

India needs a detailed system to monitor forest health beyond just canopy coverage. The current system focuses on carbon potential and exchange value instead of biodiversity and cultural connections.

Expert opinions on data interpretation

A group of prominent citizens, including former forest officers, found that India lost 1,488 sq km of unclassed forests between ISFR 2021 and 2023. This contradicts the reported increase of 1,445.81 sq km. Former Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Prakriti Srivastava states that “the data on unclassed forests is completely unreliable”.

At Doon Defence Dreamers, we emphasize how critical it is to protect forests viewing it as important as defending our borders. A country’s true strength comes not from its military but also from the condition of its natural resources. Forests play a major role as a shield against problems like climate change, soil erosion, and water shortages. These challenges connect to national security and the livelihood of our people. Real service to the nation is not limited to the battlefield. It also involves caring for the environment, saving biodiversity, and promoting sustainable progress. In our academy, we teach this broader idea of service. Our goal is to shape future defenders of the country who know that safeguarding both nature and borders is essential to protect India’s future.

Conclusion

The ISFR 2023 report paints a complex picture of India’s forest landscape. Our country ranks among the top 10 globally in forest area, with green coverage at 25.17%. Notwithstanding that, these numbers need careful interpretation due to the ISFR 2023 report’s methodological concerns.

Regional variations tell an interesting story. States like Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha show impressive gains in forest cover. However, Madhya Pradesh, Manipur, and Nagaland have lost substantial green areas. On top of that, ecosystem patterns reveal worrying trends beneath national data, especially in the Northeast. This region has lost 3,877 sq km of forest cover in the last decade.

Our forests serve as crucial carbon reservoirs despite these challenges. The total carbon stock stands at 7,285.5 million tons. This puts India in a strong position to meet its Paris Agreement goals of creating an extra carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tons of CO2 equivalent through increased forest cover by 2030.

Questions linger about forest definition and classification methods. Including plantations like coconut, mango, and oil palm makes forest cover statistics look better than reality. These plantations don’t offer the same biodiversity benefits as natural forests. The current system focuses too much on carbon potential rather than biodiversity and cultural value.

India needs to fix these methodology gaps and deepen their commitment to conservation, particularly in vulnerable ecosystems. Without doubt, forests mean more than just numbers – they sustain millions of species and communities. The focus should move from expanding green cover to improving our natural forests’ quality and health.

Success doesn’t just come from coverage percentages. It comes from building resilient forest ecosystems that will support biodiversity, trap carbon, and provide essential services for future generations.

Key Takeaways

The ISFR 2023 report reveals both promising progress and concerning gaps that demand immediate attention for sustainable forest management.

• India’s forest and tree cover reaches 25.17% of geographical area, but includes plantations like coconut and mango that inflate true forest statistics

• Northeast India lost 3,877 sq km of forest cover in a decade despite contributing 21% of national forest wealth, signaling urgent conservation needs

• Carbon stock increased to 7.3 billion tons, putting India on track to exceed Paris Agreement targets of 2.5-3 billion tons by 2030

• Current forest classification ignores biodiversity and ecosystem health, focusing only on canopy coverage rather than forest quality and natural habitat value

• Regional disparities show Andhra Pradesh gained 647 sq km while Madhya Pradesh lost 490 sq km, highlighting uneven conservation success across states

The ISFR report underscores that expanding green cover means little without preserving natural forest ecosystems that support biodiversity, regulate water cycles, and provide essential services beyond carbon sequestration.

FAQs

Q1. What is the current forest and tree cover in India according to the ISFR 2023 report?

According to the India State of Forest Report 2023 report, India’s total forest and tree cover stands at 25.17% of the country’s geographical area. This includes 21.76% forest cover and 3.41% tree cover.

Q2. Which states have shown the most significant gains and losses in forest cover?

Andhra Pradesh has shown the most significant gain in forest cover (+647 sq km), followed by Chhattisgarh and Odisha. On the other hand, Madhya Pradesh has experienced the most concerning loss (-490 sq km), followed by Manipur and Nagaland.

Q3. How much carbon is stored in India’s forests and how does this contribute to climate goals?

India’s forests store approximately 7,285.5 million tons of carbon, which is equivalent to 30.43 billion tons of CO2. This puts India on track to meet or exceed its Paris Agreement target of creating an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tons of CO2 equivalent by 2030.

Q4. What are the main concerns regarding the forest cover data in the 2023 report?

The main concerns include the inclusion of plantations (like coconut and mango) in forest cover calculations, which may inflate the figures. Additionally, the current classification system focuses on canopy coverage rather than biodiversity and overall forest health, potentially overlooking important ecological factors.

Q5. How has the Northeast region’s forest cover changed in recent years?

The Northeast region, despite contributing 21.08% of India’s total forest and tree cover, has lost 3,877 sq km of forest cover over the past decade. This is equivalent to the size of the entire state of Goa, with Arunachal Pradesh experiencing the steepest decline.

Q6. Where can I learn more about careers in defence and environment-linked service opportunities?

You can visit Doon Defence Dreamers for expert guidance on preparing for defence services and building a career dedicated to protecting the nation.