New Delhi: India’s commitment to environmental conservation is evident in the latest India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2023, which reveals a significant increase in the nation’s total forest and tree cover. The report, released after a delay of over a year, shows a rise from 24.62 per cent in 2021 to 25.17 per cent in 2023, representing an expansion of approximately 1,445 sq km, an area nearly as large as Delhi.
This increase is primarily due to the inclusion of first-time agroforestry areas. The overall forest cover stands at 715,343 sq km (21.76 per cent), while tree cover contributes a further 112,014 sq km (3.41 per cent). This increase signifies a notable expansion of green spaces across the country. However, the growth in forest cover itself was relatively modest compared to the increase in tree cover, with the latter playing a significant role in the overall increase.
The report highlights the efforts of several states. Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, and Rajasthan led the way in terms of overall gains in forest and tree cover, while Mizoram, Gujarat, and Odisha showed the greatest expansion in forest cover specifically. Madhya Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, and Maharashtra continue to hold the top three positions in terms of the largest forest and tree cover area. The expanded assessment, now covering 751 districts (up from 636 in previous reports), provides a more comprehensive understanding of the nation’s forest landscape.
Furthermore, the ISFR 2023 provides encouraging updates concerning India’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) for carbon sequestration. The report shows that India’s carbon stock has reached 30.43 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent, signifying a significant increase of 2.29 billion tonnes since the base year of 2005. This progress puts India well on track toward its target of adding 2.5 to 3.0 billion tonnes of carbon sink by 2030.
The report’s inclusion of a dedicated chapter on agroforestry is a significant development, providing a more detailed analysis of the practice’s impact on forest and tree cover.
