India’s forest cover goes up

Vibha Sharma

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 4

India’s forest cover increased by 5,081 sq km between 2013 and 2015, the country’s latest inventory of various canopy classes has said. 

The assessment “India State of Forest Report 2015”, released by Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar in New Delhi at a time when world leaders are negotiating a new climate deal in Paris, also quoted an increase of 103 million tonnes in the carbon stock of the country as compared to the last assessment in 2013. The total carbon stock in the country’s forests is estimated to be 7,044 million tonnes.

The forest cover is 7,01,673 sq km, which is 21.34% of the geographical area of the country. Natural forests contribute around 95 per cent of the total forest cover of the country. The tree cover (trees outside forests) is up by 1,306 sq km. At 92, 572 sq km, it constitutes 2.82% of India’s geographical area.

As per the latest assessment, the total tree and forest cover of the country stands at 7, 94, 245 sq km, which is 24.26% of the geographical area of the country—up from 24.01% from the last assessment.

“It (increase in the forests and tree cover) is our gift to the world,” Javadekar said.

The figure (24.26 coverage) is way below India’s ambitious target of bringing 33% of its area under green cover, which many, including former Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh, said was “not realistic” given the population and development pressures. 

Javedkar said the government was committed to enlarging its forests cover, which was also a part of its Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDC) commitment, to 33 per cent.

“While pollution is increasing, the carbon sink has also increased, which is good news,” Javadekar said. 

India is under pressure from countries such as the US to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels. The report contains national, state and district-wise information about forest cover assessment, changes with respect to previous assessment under various canopy classes and estimates of the growing stock at national and state levels within and outside forests along with carbon stock.