Several experts have criticised the report for presenting a misleading picture. Critics argue that the definition of “forest cover”, which includes “all lands with a tree canopy of more than 10 per cent, irrespective of legal status or ownership,” is overly broad and incorporates commercial plantations such as orchards, bamboo groves, and palms.

Union Minister for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, unveiled the 18th biennial India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2023 at the Forest Research Institute in Dehradun earlier this week. Prepared by the Forest Survey of India (FSI), the report offers a detailed assessment of the country’s forest and tree resources, based on satellite imagery and field data. Since its inception in 1987, the ISFR has been a critical resource for understanding India’s forest health and resources.

The 2023 report estimates India’s total forest and tree cover at 8,27,357 sq km, representing 25.17 per cent of the country’s geographical area. While forest cover accounts for 21.76 per cent (7,15,343 sq km), tree cover contributes 3.41 per cent (1,12,014 sq km). An increase of 1,445 sq km in forest and tree cover was noted since the 2021 assessment, including 156 sq km in forest cover and 1,289 sq km in tree cover.

Regional Highlights

Top States by Forest and Tree Cover:

• Madhya Pradesh leads with 85,724 sq km, followed by Arunachal Pradesh (67,083 sq km) and Maharashtra (65,383 sq km).
• Percentage-wise Forest Cover:
  • Lakshadweep tops with 91.33 per cent, followed by Mizoram (85.34 per cent) and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands (81.62 per cent).
• Mangrove Cover:
  • India’s total mangrove cover stands at 4,992 sq km.
• Growing Stock and Bamboo:
  • The report highlights an increase of 262 million cubic meters in growing stock and 5,227 sq km in bamboo-bearing area since 2021.
• Carbon Stock:
  • India’s forest carbon stock is estimated at 7,285.5 million tonnes, marking an increase of 81.5 million tonnes compared to the previous report.

Minister’s Remarks

Minister Bhupender Yadav commended the incremental rise in forest and tree cover, emphasising the importance of advanced technologies like near-real-time fire alerts to monitor forest fires. He reiterated India’s commitment to its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), stating that the country has achieved a carbon sink increase of 2.29 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent since 2005, bringing it closer to the 2030 target of 2.5 to 3.0 billion tonnes.

Areas of Concern

Despite the optimistic figures, several experts have criticised the report for presenting a misleading picture. Critics argue that the definition of “forest cover”, which includes “all lands with a tree canopy of more than 10 per cent, irrespective of legal status or ownership,” is overly broad and incorporates commercial plantations such as orchards, bamboo groves, and palms. This approach, they claim, inflates forest cover data and masks the reality of biodiversity loss.

Key Concerns

• Prakriti Srivastava, former Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, and others have pointed out inconsistencies, including the inclusion of commercial plantations as forest cover.
• Conservationist Krithika Sampath highlighted the lack of transparency, noting the absence of granular data and geo-referenced maps to validate the reported increases.
• Debadityo Sinha, from the Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy, criticised the omission of details about diverted forest lands and the lack of compliance with Supreme Court directives to digitise forest records.

Key Findings Under Scrutiny

1. Forest Cover Increase:
2. The reported increase of 156 sq km in forest cover is modest, with over 95 per cent of the gain occurring outside officially recorded forest areas.
3. Tree Cover Revisions:
4. For the first time, the report included bamboo clumps and trees with diameters as small as 5-10 cm, further inflating tree cover statistics.
5. Carbon Stock Data:
6. While carbon sequestration potential from degraded lands was mentioned, the report remained silent on the loss of 30,808 sq km of open and scrub forests since 2021.

Policy Implications and Future Steps

The Western Ghats, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and biodiversity hotspot, recorded a loss of 58.22 sq km of forest cover over the past decade. This trend raises alarms about the region’s ecological health and underscores the broader issue of inadequate forest conservation in hill districts, which currently have only 40 per cent forest cover, far below the 66.6 per cent policy target.

India’s forest policy aims to achieve 33 per cent forest cover nationwide, aligning with global benchmarks. However, the ISFR 2023’s findings reveal significant gaps. Experts recommend the following actions:

1. Revisiting Definitions:
   Refine the definition of forest cover to distinguish between natural forests and commercial plantations.
2. Enhanced Transparency:
   Publish detailed, geo-referenced maps and granular data to validate claims.
3. Addressing Biodiversity Loss:
   Prioritise the restoration of degraded natural forests to support biodiversity and ecosystem services.
4. Strengthening Monitoring Mechanisms:
   Implement robust monitoring frameworks to track forest diversion for developmental projects and ensure compliance with conservation goals.

The India State of Forest Report 2023 provides valuable insights into the nation’s green cover and its role in climate change mitigation. However, addressing the concerns raised by ecologists and conservationists will be crucial for achieving sustainable and equitable forest management. As India approaches its 2030 NDC targets, balancing developmental aspirations with ecological preservation will remain a formidable challenge.