The India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2023

Context:

The India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2023 was recently released by the Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change at the Forest Research Institute in Dehradun.

This report, published biennially by the Forest Survey of India (FSI) since 1987, provides a comprehensive assessment of India’s forest and tree resources through satellite data and field surveys. The 2023 edition is the 18th report in this series.

Key Highlights of ISFR 2023:

1. Total Forest and Tree Cover:

• India's total forest and tree cover spans 827,357 sq km, which constitutes 25.17% of the country's geographical area. This includes:
• 715,343 sq km (21.76%) of forest cover
• 112,014 sq km (3.41%) of tree cover.

1. Increase in Forest and Tree Cover:

• Since the last report (2021), India has seen an increase of 1,445 sq km in total forest and tree cover. This includes:
• 156 sq km increase in forest cover
• 1,289 sq km increase in tree cover.

1. States with Largest Increases in Forest and Tree Cover:

• The states that saw the largest increases in forest and tree cover are:
• Chhattisgarh: +684 sq km
• Uttar Pradesh: +559 sq km
• Odisha: +559 sq km
• Rajasthan: +394 sq km.

1. States with Largest Forest Areas:

• The states with the largest forest and tree areas are:
• Madhya Pradesh: 85,724 sq km
• Arunachal Pradesh: 67,083 sq km
• Maharashtra: 65,383 sq km.

1. Mangrove Cover:

• India’s total mangrove cover is 4,992 sq km, indicating continued efforts in mangrove conservation.

1. Growing Stock and Bamboo Resources:

• Growing stock of forests has increased by 262 million cubic meters.
• The bamboo-bearing area has expanded by 5,227 sq km, bringing the total to 154,670 sq km.

1. Carbon Stock and Sequestration:

• India’s forest carbon stock is estimated at 7,285.5 million tonnes, with an increase of 81.5 million tonnes from the previous assessment.
• India has exceeded its carbon sequestration targets under the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC), reaching a total carbon stock of 30.43 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent.

1. Technological Advancements:

• The Forest Survey of India (FSI) has implemented advanced technologies for real-time fire alerts and improved forest fire management, enhancing forest conservation practices.

Way Forward:

1. Strengthen Conservation and Management:

• The focus should be on enhancing forest management practices, promoting sustainable forest use, conserving biodiversity, and tackling deforestation. Involving local communities more actively in conservation efforts will also be crucial.

1. Expand Technological Innovations and Monitoring:

• Continued use of advanced technologies for real-time monitoring of forest health (including fire alerts) should be prioritized. Expanding data-driven approaches can further improve forest protection, carbon sequestration, and restoration efforts.

This report underscores the progress India has made in forest conservation and highlights the role of technology in improving forest management and addressing climate change. It also calls for continued efforts to ensure sustainability in forest resources and environmental health.