India’s forest cover grows, says government report

New Delhi, Mar 13: India’s forest and tree cover has increased over the years, according to data shared by the government. The country’s total forest and tree cover now stands at 8,27,357 square kilometres, accounting for 25.17% of its geographical area, as per the India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2023. This marks a rise from 7,94,245 square kilometres (24.16% of the country’s area) recorded in ISFR 2015.

The data was provided by Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Kirti Vardhan Singh, in a written reply to a Rajya Sabha question.

To safeguard the nation’s forests, the Environment Ministry advises states and union territories to take necessary protective steps under existing laws. Forest departments have also been actively engaged in surveying boundaries, marking forest limits, and conducting regular patrols. The government has been supporting these efforts through various schemes, minister in his reply to a parliamentary question said. Over the past five years, funds have been allocated for afforestation and conservation projects that includes Rs. 624.69 crore under the National Mission for a Green India (GIM), Rs. 452.04 crore under the Development of Wildlife Habitats (DWH), Rs. 308.87 crore under the Nagar Van Yojana (NVY) and Rs. 38,502.21 crore under the Annual Plan of Operations under CAMPA (Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority). These funds are aimed at improving forest landscapes, enhancing wildlife habitats, and ensuring ecological restoration through afforestation and soil conservation initiatives.