International Day of Forests

Fact Box:

India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2023,

• Total Forest and Tree Cover: As of 2023, India’s total forest and tree cover stands at 827,357 sq km, or 17% of the total geographical area, marking a net increase of 1,445 sq km from 2021.
• Forest Cover: The forest cover alone has grown from 713,789 sq km in 2021 to 715,343 sq km in 2023, now covering 76% of the geographical area.
• Tree Cover: India's tree cover increased by 1,289 sq km, reaching 41% of the total geographical area.
• Carbon Stock and Sequestration:
  • Carbon Sink: India has created an additional 29 billion tonnes of carbon sink compared to 2005 levels, contributing significantly to its climate goals.
  • Carbon Stock: The total carbon stock in India’s forests and tree cover in 2023 is estimated at 7,285.5 million tonnes, an increase of 5 million tonnes since 2021.
  • By 2030, India aims to increase its carbon stock to 71 billion tonnes through enhanced forest and tree cover as part of its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement.
• Bamboo and Forest Cover Details: India’s bamboo-bearing area is now estimated at 154,670 sq km, marking a 5,227 sq km increase from 2021.
  • State-wise Performance:
    • Chhattisgarh (+684 sq km), Uttar Pradesh (+559 sq km), Odisha (+559 sq km), and Rajasthan (+394 sq km) saw the largest increases in combined forest and tree cover.
    • Mizoram, Gujarat, and Odisha recorded the highest gains in forest cover.
  • Forest Cover in Hill and Northeastern Regions:
    • Hill Districts: India’s hill districts have a total forest cover of 283,713 sq km, which constitutes 40% of the geographical area in these regions. The forest cover in these districts increased by 14 sq km.
    • Northeast Region: The northeastern region, which has a total forest and tree cover of 174,394.7 sq km (67% of the region's geographical area), saw a decrease of 3 sq km in forest cover.
• Other Key Findings:
  • Mangrove Cover: India's total mangrove cover stands at 4,991.68 sq km, with a slight decrease of 43 sq km since 2021.
  • Western Ghats and Eastern States: There is an overall loss of 22 sq km in the Western Ghats and Eastern States Area (WGESA), despite gains in very dense forests.
• While the overall area of very dense forests increased by 3,465.12 sq km, moderately dense and open forests saw a decline of 1,043.23 sq km and 2,480.11 sq km, respectively, over the past decade.

Forest Conservation Schemes/Initiatives

•   National Agroforestry Scheme aims to encourage farmers to adopt agroforestry for climate resilience, environmental conservation, and economic benefits.
•   Green India Mission (GIM) also known as National Mission for a Green India, is a key part of India's National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC). It is one of the eight missions under NAPCC. The mission aims to protect, restore, and enhance India’s forest cover while tackling climate change.
• Forest Fire Prevention & Management is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme that supports states and Union Territories in preventing and controlling forest fires. The Ministry provides financial assistance to help implement various fire prevention and management measures.
• Van Dhan Yojana: Launched in 2018 by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and TRIFED, the Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Yojana (PMVDY) aims to improve the livelihood of tribal communities by enhancing the value of forest produce. The scheme helps tribal gatherers become entrepreneurs through skill training, infrastructure support, and market linkages.

PYQ

Q1. At the national level, which ministry is the nodal agency to ensure effective implementation of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006? (2021)   

1. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change   
2. Ministry of Panchayati Raj   
3. Ministry of Rural Development   
4. Ministry of Tribal Affairs   

Solution: (d)

Q2. A particular State in India has the following characteristics: (2012)   

1. It is located on the same latitude which passes through northern Rajasthan.   
2. It has over 80% of its area under forest cover.   
3. Over 12% of forest cover constitutes the Protected Area Network in this State.   

Which one among the following States has all the above characteristics?   

1. Arunachal Pradesh   
2. Assam   
3. Himachal Pradesh   
4. Uttarakhand   

Solution: (a)