December 21st 2024.
In the bustling city of New Delhi, there is some good news for nature lovers. The latest government data has revealed that India's forest and tree cover have seen a significant increase since 2021. This positive trend is a result of efforts towards conservation and afforestation in the country.
According to the India State of Forest Report 2023, released on Saturday, the total forest cover in the country has reached 7,15,343 sq km, an increase of 1,554 sq km from 2021. This means that 21.76% of India's total geographical area is now covered by forests. Additionally, the tree cover has also witnessed a growth of 1,289 sq km, bringing it up to 3.41% of the country's total geographical area.
In total, the forest and tree cover now account for 8,27,357 sq km, which is 25.17% of India's geographical area. This is a remarkable increase of 1,445 sq km from 2021, with the forest cover alone expanding by 156 sq km. These numbers are certainly a reason to celebrate and are a testament to the efforts being made towards preserving our natural resources.
The Forest Survey of India defines forest cover as any land with a tree canopy density of over 10%, spanning an area of at least one hectare. This includes both natural forests and man-made plantations, orchards, and tree patches in urban and rural areas. On the other hand, tree cover refers to smaller patches of trees outside the reserved forest areas, which are less than one hectare in size.
The report also highlights the top-performing states in terms of forest and tree cover. Madhya Pradesh continues to lead the pack, followed by Arunachal Pradesh and Maharashtra. However, states like Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, and Rajasthan have shown the most significant increase in both forest and tree cover. Mizoram, Gujarat, and Odisha have also shown an impressive growth in forest cover specifically.
The northeastern states, particularly Mizoram, have shown remarkable progress in terms of forest cover. Mizoram alone has witnessed a rise of 242 sq km, reversing some of the declines reported in the previous report, ISFR 2021. This clearly indicates that the efforts towards conservation and afforestation are bearing fruit and need to be continued and strengthened.
Overall, this report is a promising sign for the environment and a testament to India's commitment towards preserving its natural resources. It serves as a reminder to all of us to do our part in protecting and nurturing our forests and trees for a greener and healthier future.
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