Forest cover is the total geographical area declared as forest by the government. As of 2021, the total forest cover in India stood at 80.9 million hectares, approximately 21.71 percent of the total geographical area. According to the India State of the Forest Report (https://fsi.nic.in/forest-report-2021-details, ISFR, 2021), India’s forest cover is 7,13,789 square kilometers. It is also noteworthy that India’s tree cover increased by 721 square kilometers between 2019 and 2021.
Types of forests in India include tropical evergreens, swamps, mangroves, sub-tropical, montane, scrub, sub-alpine, and alpine forests. India’s forests are home to a wide variety of tree species, including hardwoods, and support diverse ecosystems with 600 species of hardwoods, including sal (Shorea robusta). Moist deciduous forests are found in the northeastern states, the eastern slopes of the Western Ghats, and Odisha. The main species in these forests include teak, sal, shisham, hurra, mahua, amla, semul, kusum, and sandalwood.
Dry deciduous forests are found in the northern part of the country, except in the north-east. The common trees in these forests include tendu, palas, amaltas, bel, khair, and axlewood.
Given the value and nature of forests, it is recorded that over 1,700 sq. km of forest area has been lost in the last decade due to development and forest fires. Still, compensatory afforestation has also been undertaken, resulting in a net increase of 21,761 sq. km, with some states experiencing reductions while others have seen increases. Efforts are also being made to protect soil, moisture, and wildlife habitat during development projects. (https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/over-1700-sq-km-of-forest-area-lost-in-last-10-years-due-to-development-activities-government/articleshow/112377473.cms?from=mdr)
Forest fires are a significant issue in India. They can destroy valuable forest resources and impact the flow of goods and services from forests. The forest fire season in India is typically from November to June, and most forest fires are caused by human factors. They cause an estimated annual economic loss of around $104 million.
The Forest Survey of India (FSI) estimates that 50 percent of India’s forests are prone to fire. However, fire-prone areas can range from 33 percent in some states to over 90 percent in others. Mizoram, Tripura, Meghalaya, and Manipur states are the most prone to fire.
As a matter of record, in November 2022, Odisha, one of the forest-rich subregions in the eastern part of the country, posted a national record of 871 large forest fires in the state, especially affecting the lower-income groups and those residing in and around forest areas, especially by rivers and the seaside.
Other sub-regions such as Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Telangana, and Madhya Pradesh also had large numbers of forest fires that season, incurring heavy losses of lives and livelihoods for the people.
India is deploying satellite-based remote sensing technology and GIS tools to help prevent and manage forest fires. These tools create early warning systems for fire-prone areas, monitor fires in real time, and estimate the areas affected by the fire.
India’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) include a target to create an additional carbon sink of 2.5–3 billion tonnes by 2030. This is to be achieved by increasing forest and tree cover. However, there are some challenges regarding the meaning, feasibility, and science of the NDC target. An Indian Ministry of Finance report noted that the target’s use of the word “additional” and lack of a base year made it difficult to interpret.
This Post was submitted by Climate Scorecard India Country Manager Pooran Chandra Pandey.
Primary Influencer
Shri. Bhupendra Yadav
Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Paryavaran Bhawan, Jor Bagh,
New Delhi-110003, INDIA
Office telephone numbers:
+91-11-20819190, 20819187, 20819225, 20819275
Email: mefcc@gov.in
Minister’s Private Secretary:
Mr. Kshitij Jain
Telephone numbers:
+91-11-20819190, 20819187, 20819225, 20819275
Email: ps2mefcc@gov.in
Message
Forests and trees are a lifeline for urban, rural, and seaside areas as effective carbon sinks, protecting people against adverse climate episodes while absorbing carbon emissions and protecting life and livelihoods, especially among the poor and the vulnerable. Given that absolute numbers of trees and forests are dwindling for various reasons, more concerted actions are urgently called for. A combination of effective laws, public policy instruments, and more financial resources are requested to address the climate crisis more clearly now than at any other previous times.