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India State of Forest Report 2023: Key Highlights and Insights | Agriculture Current Affairs


Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Bhupender Yadav, released the India State of Forest Report 2023 (ISFR 2023) on December 21, 2024, at the Forest Research Institute, Dehradun. This biennial report, published by the Forest Survey of India (FSI) since 1987, provides an in-depth assessment of India's forest and tree resources. Based on satellite data and field surveys, ISFR 2023 is the 18th edition in the series.

Major Findings of ISFR 2023

Forest and Tree Cover

  • Total Forest and Tree Cover: 8,27,357 sq km (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%).

  • Increase Since 2021: A total rise of 1,445 sq km:

    • Forest Cover: Increase of 156 sq km.

    • Tree Cover: Increase of 1,289 sq km.

Top Performing States

  • States with 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 Maximum Increase in Forest Cover:

    • Mizoram: 242 sq km.

    • Gujarat: 180 sq km.

    • Odisha: 152 sq km.

  • States with Largest Forest and Tree Cover (Area-wise):

    • Madhya Pradesh: 85,724 sq km.

    • Arunachal Pradesh: 67,083 sq km.

    • Maharashtra: 65,383 sq km.

  • Percentage of Forest Cover to Total Geographical Area:

    • Lakshadweep: 91.33%.

    • Mizoram: 85.34%.

    • Andaman & Nicobar Islands: 81.62%.

Mangrove Cover

  • Total area: 4,992 sq km.

Growing Stock and Bamboo Resources

  • Total Growing Stock: 6,430 million cubic meters.

    • Inside Forests: 4,479 million cubic meters.

    • Outside Forests: 1,951 million cubic meters.

  • Bamboo Bearing Area: 1,54,670 sq km (Increase of 5,227 sq km since 2021).

  • Annual Timber Production Potential: 91.51 million cubic meters.

Carbon Stock

  • Current Carbon Stock: 7,285.5 million tonnes.

  • Increase Since 2021: 81.5 million tonnes.

  • Progress Toward NDC Targets: India’s carbon stock has reached 30.43 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent, achieving 2.29 billion tonnes of additional carbon sink since 2005, progressing toward the 2030 target of 2.5-3.0 billion tonnes.

Significance of ISFR 2023

The ISFR serves as a vital tool for policymakers, planners, and researchers. The detailed data supports initiatives for:

  • Forest conservation and sustainable management.

  • Monitoring agroforestry practices.

  • Addressing climate change through carbon sequestration.

  • Enhancing forest fire management with real-time alerts.

For further details, visit the Forest Survey of India website and the Press Information Bureau.

Conclusion

The India State of Forest Report 2023 highlights India’s commitment to increasing forest and tree cover, improving carbon stock, and promoting sustainable development. The report’s findings underline the need for continued efforts toward achieving India’s climate goals and preserving biodiversity.
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