India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2023

GS 3 – Environment  

The India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2023, published by the Forest Survey of India (FSI), is a critical document for understanding the status of forest and tree cover in India. It is a biennial assessment of the nation’s forest resources, providing essential insights for policy-making, sustainable development, and climate change mitigation.

Key Highlights of ISFR 2023

1. Forest and Tree Cover

Total Green Cover: 8,27,357 sq. km, accounting for 25.17% of India’s geographical area.

Forest Cover: 7,15,343 sq. km (21.76%).

Tree Cover: 1,12,014 sq. km (3.41%).

Net Increase (2021-2023):

Forest Cover: +156 sq. km.

Tree Cover: +1,289 sq. km.

2. Regional Highlights

Top States in Forest Area: Madhya Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Maharashtra.

Maximum Increase in Forest and Tree Cover:

Chhattisgarh  +684 sq. km.

Uttar Pradesh: +559 sq. km.

Odisha: +559 sq. km.

Rajasthan: +394 sq. km.

States with >75% Forest Cover: Mizoram, Lakshadweep, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Manipur.

3. Mangrove Cover

Total Area: 4,992 sq. km.

Net Increase: +10 sq. km (compared to 2021).

4. Carbon Stock

India’s Forest Carbon Stock: 7,285.5 million tonnes.

Increase: +81.5 million tonnes since 2021.

Significance of ISFR 2023

1. Biodiversity Conservation

Ecological Importance: Highlights regions of dense forest cover crucial for biodiversity.

Mangrove Coverage: Vital for coastal ecosystems and climate resilience.

2. Climate Change Mitigation

The increase in carbon stock aids India’s efforts to meet its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement.

3. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Supports SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 15 (Life on Land) by tracking progress in forest conservation and restoration.

4. Policy Implications

Identifies priority areas for afforestation and forest management.

Assists in planning schemes like the Green India Mission and CAMPA (Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority).

Challenges Identified

1. Deforestation – Decline in dense forest cover due to urbanization, infrastructure development, and agricultural expansion.

2. Degraded Forests – Need for improved forest management practices to address issues like soil erosion and loss of biodiversity.

3. Climate Stress – Increased vulnerability of forests to climatic changes, pests, and diseases.

Government Initiatives in Forest Management

1. National Afforestation Programme (NAP) – Promotes afforestation and eco-restoration of degraded forest lands.

2. CAMPA Funds – Strengthens compensatory afforestation and reforestation efforts.

3. Green India Mission (GIM) – Aims to improve forest quality and increase green cover.

4. Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZ) – Prevents encroachments and ensures sustainable development around protected areas.

Controversies and Concerns

1. Plantations in Forest Cover

Critics argue that including plantations in forest cover misrepresents actual forest health, as plantations often lack biodiversity and carbon sequestration potential of natural forests.

2. Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act, 2023

Excludes “deemed” and “community” forests from the Act’s purview, raising concerns about the loss of local forest governance.

“Discuss the key findings of the India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2023 and its significance for biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation.”

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