The State of Forest Report (SFR) in India is a biennial publication prepared by the Forest Survey of India (FSI), which is an organization under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. The report provides a comprehensive assessment of the forest cover in India and the changes that have taken place over the years.
The latest State of Forest Report was published in 2021. According to the report, India’s total forest cover is 24.56% of its geographical area.
Overall, the State of Forest Report provides a valuable insight into the state of India’s forest cover and highlights the areas where efforts need to be focused to ensure sustainable forest management in the country.
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Forest Cover in India
India has a total forest cover of 24.56% of its geographical area, according to the latest State of Forest Report published by the Forest Survey of India (FSI) in 2021. This forest cover includes both reserved forests, which are under the control of the government, and protected forests, which are managed by local communities.
The report also highlights that the top five states in terms of forest cover in India are:
- Madhya Pradesh – 77,414 square kilometers
- Arunachal Pradesh – 67,248 square kilometers
- Chhattisgarh – 55,547 square kilometers
- Odisha – 51,345 square kilometers
- Maharashtra – 50,661 square kilometers
The forest cover in India is essential for the country’s biodiversity, climate, and water conservation. Forests also provide a livelihood to millions of people in India, including tribals and forest-dependent communities. The Indian government has undertaken several initiatives to increase the forest cover in the country, such as the Green India Mission and the National Afforestation Programme. However, challenges such as deforestation, forest degradation, and forest fires continue to pose a threat to the forest cover in India, making sustainable forest management a crucial priority.
The following states in India have the highest percentage of forest cover:
- Mizoram: Mizoram has the highest percentage of forest cover in India, with over 85% of its geographical area covered in forests.
- Arunachal Pradesh: Arunachal Pradesh has the second-highest percentage of forest cover in India, with over 80% of its geographical area covered in forests.
- Meghalaya: Meghalaya has over 76% of its geographical area covered in forests, making it the state with the third-highest percentage of forest cover in India.
- Manipur: Manipur has over 75% of its geographical area covered in forests, making it the state with the fourth-highest percentage of forest cover in India.
- Nagaland: Nagaland has over 75% of its geographical area covered in forests, making it the state with the fifth-highest percentage of forest cover in India.
These states are located in the northeastern region of India, which is known for its dense forests and rich biodiversity. Other states with significant forest cover in India include Tripura, Sikkim, and Jharkhand. Forest cover is crucial for the conservation of biodiversity, water conservation, and climate regulation, among other ecological and economic benefits.
Forest survey of India
The Forest Survey of India (FSI) is a national organization under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in India. The FSI was established in 1981 to assess the forest resources of India and monitor changes in forest cover, quality, and biodiversity. The main function of FSI is to conduct forest surveys, research, and collect data related to forest resources in the country.
The FSI has a mandate to provide reliable and updated information on forest resources in India to policymakers, researchers, and the general public. The organization conducts periodic surveys to assess the status of forest cover, biodiversity, and forest health. The data collected by FSI is used to formulate policies and strategies for sustainable forest management and conservation in the country.
The FSI also provides technical support and training to various state forest departments and other organizations on issues related to forest surveys, forest inventory, and mapping. In addition, the FSI has developed various tools and technologies to aid in forest surveys, such as satellite imagery and remote sensing techniques.
Overall, the Forest Survey of India plays a critical role in monitoring and managing India’s forest resources, ensuring their sustainability and conservation for the benefit of present and future generations.
Satellite used for Forest Mapping
Several types of satellites are used for forest mapping, each with different capabilities and applications. Some of the commonly used satellites for forest mapping include:
- Optical Satellites: Optical satellites, such as Landsat and Sentinel-2, capture images in the visible and near-infrared spectrum. These satellites are useful for mapping forest cover, land-use changes, and deforestation.
- Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Satellites: SAR satellites, such as RADARSAT and ALOS-2, use microwave energy to capture images of the Earth’s surface. SAR satellites can penetrate clouds and foliage, making them useful for mapping forest structure, biomass, and topography.
- LiDAR Satellites: LiDAR satellites, such as ICESat-2, use laser pulses to measure the height and structure of forest canopies. LiDAR data is useful for mapping forest structure, biomass, and carbon stocks.
- Hyperspectral Satellites: Hyperspectral satellites, such as EnMAP and PRISMA, capture images in hundreds of narrow spectral bands. Hyperspectral data is useful for mapping forest species, health, and stress.
The Forest Survey of India (FSI) uses a combination of optical and microwave satellites to monitor and map the forest cover and forest types in India. The FSI also uses LiDAR data to estimate biomass and carbon stocks in selected forest areas.
Classification of forest in India
The following are some of the main types of forests in India:
- Tropical Evergreen Forests: These are dense forests that occur in areas with high rainfall and humidity throughout the year. These forests are characterized by tall, straight trees, and a dense undergrowth of shrubs, climbers, and ferns.
- Tropical Deciduous Forests: These forests occur in areas with seasonal rainfall and are characterized by a mix of deciduous and evergreen trees. During the dry season, the trees lose their leaves, and the forest floor is covered with a layer of dry leaves.
- Thorn Forests: These forests occur in arid and semi-arid regions and are characterized by a mix of trees and thorny shrubs. These forests are well adapted to the harsh climatic conditions, and many species are drought-tolerant.
- Montane Forests: These forests occur in the high-altitude regions of the Himalayas and are characterized by a mix of evergreen and deciduous trees. These forests are home to several endangered species, such as the snow leopard, Himalayan musk deer, and red panda.
- Mangrove Forests: These forests occur along the coastal regions and are characterized by salt-tolerant trees and shrubs that grow in brackish water. These forests are important for coastal protection, fishery resources, and carbon sequestration.
- Dry Deciduous Forests: These forests occur in areas with a dry climate and are characterized by a mix of deciduous trees and thorny shrubs. These forests are an important source of timber and non-timber forest products and support a range of wildlife, including tigers, elephants, and antelopes.
- Alpine Forests: These forests occur in the high-altitude regions above the treeline and are characterized by low-growing shrubs and herbs. These forests are adapted to extreme climatic conditions, such as low temperatures, high winds, and intense solar radiation.
Evergreen forests in India
Evergreen forests in India are dense forests that occur in areas with high rainfall and humidity throughout the year. These forests are also known as tropical rainforests and are found in the Western Ghats, northeastern India, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. They are characterized by tall, straight trees that form a closed canopy, and a dense undergrowth of shrubs, climbers, and ferns.
The following are some of the main types of evergreen forests in India:
- Tropical Wet Evergreen Forests: These forests occur in areas with high rainfall throughout the year, such as the Western Ghats and the northeastern region. They are characterized by tall trees, a dense undergrowth, and a diverse range of plant and animal species.
- Tropical Semi-Evergreen Forests: These forests occur in areas with seasonal rainfall, such as the Western Ghats and the eastern Himalayas. They are characterized by a mix of evergreen and deciduous trees, and a diverse range of plant and animal species.
- Shola Forests: Shola forests are a type of montane evergreen forest that occurs in the high-altitude regions of the Western Ghats. They are characterized by a mix of evergreen and deciduous trees, and a dense undergrowth of shrubs and grasses.
Evergreen forests are important for the conservation of biodiversity, carbon sequestration, and regulation of the hydrological cycle. They provide habitat for several endangered species, such as the lion-tailed macaque, Malabar civet, and Nilgiri langur, and support a range of ecosystem services, such as water conservation, soil stabilization, and climate regulation.
Mangrove forest in India
Mangrove forests in India are coastal forests that occur along the tidal mudflats, estuaries, and deltas of rivers. They are characterized by salt-tolerant trees and shrubs that grow in brackish water, and play an important role in coastal protection, fishery resources, and carbon sequestration. Mangrove forests are found along the east and west coasts of India, with the largest mangrove delta being the Sundarbans in West Bengal.
The following are some of the main types of mangrove forests in India:
- Sundarbans Mangrove Forests: The Sundarbans is the largest mangrove forest in the world and is located in the delta of the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna rivers in West Bengal. It is home to several endangered species, such as the Bengal tiger, estuarine crocodile, and Irrawaddy dolphin.
- Mahanadi Mangrove Forests: The Mahanadi mangrove forests are located in the delta of the Mahanadi river in Odisha. They are characterized by a mix of mangrove species, such as Avicennia marina, Rhizophora mucronata, and Sonneratia apetala, and support a range of fish and shellfish species.
- Godavari-Krishna Mangrove Forests: The Godavari-Krishna mangrove forests are located in the delta of the Godavari and Krishna rivers in Andhra Pradesh. They are characterized by a mix of mangrove and non-mangrove species, and provide habitat for several bird species, such as the grey heron, painted stork, and little egret.
Mangrove forests are important for the conservation of biodiversity, coastal protection, and livelihood support for coastal communities. They provide a nursery ground for several fish and shellfish species, and support a range of ecosystem services, such as carbon sequestration, water filtration, and erosion control.
State of Forest Report in India: Summary
- The State of Forest Report 2021 was released by the Forest Survey of India in September 2021.
- The report indicates that India has a total forest cover of 24.56% of its geographical area.
- The total forest cover in India has increased by 5,188 square kilometers (km2) from the previous assessment in 2019.
- The top three states with the highest forest cover are Madhya Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh.
- The top three states with the largest increase in forest cover are Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala.
- The report indicates that the forest cover in the northeastern region of India has increased by 3,519 km2 since 2019.
- The total carbon stock in Indian forests is estimated to be 7,124 million tones.
- The report highlights the need to increase the quality and extent of forest cover to meet India’s climate change targets.
- India has committed to increasing its forest cover to 33% of its geographical area under the Paris Agreement.
- The report identifies the major threats to India’s forests, including encroachment, diversion for non-forestry purposes, and forest fires.
- The report suggests that joint forest management programs and community-based forest conservation can help mitigate these threats.
- The report highlights the importance of forest ecosystem services, including water conservation, soil stabilization, and biodiversity conservation.
- The report notes that India’s forests provide habitat for several endangered species, such as the tiger, elephant, and rhinoceros.
- The report suggests that the development of green corridors can help enhance connectivity between forest patches and promote ecological resilience.
- The report identifies the need to address the causes and impacts of forest fires, which have become a major concern in recent years.
- The report recommends the use of modern technologies, such as remote sensing and GIS, for forest monitoring and management.
- The report emphasizes the importance of capacity building and awareness-raising programs to promote sustainable forest management.
- The report highlights the need to promote research and innovation in forest management to address emerging challenges and opportunities.
- The report calls for increased investment in forest conservation and management to achieve India’s sustainable development goals.
- The report concludes that India’s forests are critical for the country’s ecological, social, and economic well-being and need to be protected and managed sustainably.
State of Forest Report 2021: Questions
Q. Which state in India has the highest percentage of forest cover according to the State of Forest Report 2021?
a) Madhya Pradesh
b) Arunachal Pradesh
c) Chhattisgarh
d) Mizoram
Answer: b) Mizoram. As per the State of Forest Report 2021, Mizoram has the highest percentage of forest cover in India.
Q. Which type of forest is characterized by salt-tolerant trees and shrubs growing along tidal mudflats, estuaries, and deltas of rivers?
a) Tropical Forest
b) Boreal Forest
c) Mangrove Forest
d) Temperate Forest
Answer: c) Mangrove Forest. Mangrove forests are characterized by salt-tolerant trees and shrubs growing along tidal mudflats, estuaries, and deltas of rivers.
Q. Which of the following is a threat to India’s forests according to the State of Forest Report 2021?
a) Joint Forest Management Programs
b) Encroachment
c) Community-Based Forest Conservation
d) Forest Fires
Answer: b) Encroachment. The State of Forest Report 2021 identifies encroachment, diversion for non-forestry purposes, and forest fires as major threats to India’s forests.
Q. Which technology is recommended for forest monitoring and management in the State of Forest Report 2021?
a) Remote Sensing and GIS
b) Social Media
c) Virtual Reality
d) Artificial Intelligence
Answer: a) Remote Sensing and GIS. The State of Forest Report 2021 recommends the use of modern technologies, such as remote sensing and GIS, for forest monitoring and management.
Q. Which state in India has shown the highest increase in forest cover according to the State of Forest Report 2021?
a) Karnataka
b) Andhra Pradesh
c) Kerala
d) Telangana
Answer: a) Karnataka. According to the State of Forest Report 2021, Karnataka has shown the highest increase in forest cover among all states in India, with a net increase of 1,025 square kilometers (km2) from the previous assessment in 2019.