India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2023

Introduction

The India State of Forest Report (ISFR) is a biennial publication by the Forest Survey of India (FSI), operating under the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change. It offers a comprehensive analysis of India’s forest status, including forest cover, density, and changes in forest and tree cover. The report serves as a vital resource for policymakers, researchers, and conservationists to monitor and strategize forest conservation and management.

Key Features of ISFR

1. Forest Cover Mapping: Categorized into three density classes:
   • Very Dense Forest (VDF): Canopy density > 70%.
   • Moderately Dense Forest (MDF): Canopy density between 40% and 70%.
   • Open Forest (OF): Canopy density between 10% and 40%.
2. Tree Cover Assessment: Includes tree patches outside recorded forests, such as plantations and trees in agricultural fields.
3. Forest Area Statistics: Derived from satellite data, ground surveys, and GIS technology.
4. Biodiversity and Carbon Stock: Provides estimates of species diversity and forest carbon stock.
5. Forest Health Monitoring: Tracks forest fires, invasive species, and degradation.
6. State-wise and Regional Data: Presents detailed statistics for all states and union territories.
7. Special Features: Focused studies on specific areas like coastal forests, wetlands, and urban forestry.

Key Highlights of ISFR 2021

1. Forest Cover:
   • Total forest and tree cover: 80.9 million hectares (24.62% of the geographical area).
   • Increase of 2,261 sq. km compared to ISFR 2019.
2. Top States by Forest Cover:
   • Madhya Pradesh: Largest forest cover.
   • Arunachal Pradesh: Highest percentage of forest cover relative to its geographical area.
3. Mangrove Cover: Increased by 17 sq. km, showcasing coastal ecosystem conservation.
4. Carbon Stock: Forests sequestered an estimated 7,204 million tons of carbon stock, reflecting a positive trend.
5. Deforestation: Some regions saw deforestation due to urbanization, mining, and infrastructure projects.

Read More Post : Effective Strategies for UPSC Preparation

ISFR 2023 Key Insights

1. Forest and Tree Cover:
   • Total forest and tree cover increased to 25.17% in 2023 from 24.62% in 2022.
   • Forest cover showed a smaller increase compared to tree cover.
2. Definitions:
   • Forest Cover: Land with tree canopy density >10%, spanning at least 1 hectare. Includes plantations.
   • Tree Cover: Trees outside forests (e.g., agroforestry or roadside trees) on areas smaller than 1 hectare.
3. Coverage Statistics:
   • Total Forest Cover: 7,15,342.61 sq. km (21.76% of the geographical area).
   • Tree Cover: 3.41% of the geographical area.
   • Combined Forest and Tree Cover: 8,27,356.95 sq. km.
4. Other Statistics:
   • Scrub Area: 43,622 sq. km (1.33%).
   • Non-Forest Area: 24,16,489 sq. km (73.50%).
5. Regional Changes::
   • States with Increased Forest/Tree Cover: Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan, Jharkhand.
   • States with Reduced Cover: Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Nagaland, Bihar, Tripura.
6. Additional Features:
   • First-time inclusion of trees under agroforestry.
   • Estimates on growing stock, mangrove cover, bamboo resources, and forest carbon stock.
7. Delayed Publication: The 18th India State of Forest Report (ISFR) was delayed by over a year, originally due for release in 2022.