Natural Environment: Key Insights from 18th Indian State of Forest Report 2023

Introduction

The 18th India State of Forest Report 2023 (ISFR 2023), released by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, provides a comprehensive overview of India’s natural environment. Prepared by the Forest Survey of India (FSI), this biennial report highlights crucial insights into forest and tree cover, carbon stock, soil health, biodiversity, and more. The ISFR 2023 emphasizes the growing importance of conserving natural resources and adopting sustainable forestry practices to meet India’s ecological and climate goals.

Context:

• Recently, the Ministry for Environment, Forest and Climate Change released the 18^th India State of Forest Report 2023 (ISFR 2023).
• Brought out by FSI on a biennial basis since 1987.

About Forest Survey of India:

• An organization under MOE&F.
• Principle Mandate: To conduct survey and assessment of forest resources in the country.
• Started as an organization called Pre Investment survey of forest resources (PISFR) in 1965 as FAO/UNDP/GOI Project.
• In 1976, National Commission on Agriculture recommended establishing a National Forest Survey Organization.

About Forest Survey of India:

• The changing information needs resulted in enlarging the scope of activities of PISFR and it was reorganized as Forest Survey of India in 1981.
• Functioning: The FSI has head quarters at Dehradun.
• 4 regional offices at: Shimla, Kolkata, Nagpur and Bangalore.

Key Findings of 18^th ISFR 2023:

• Forest and tree cover: The total forest and tree cover of the country is 8,27,356.95 km² which is 25.17% of the geographical area (GA) of the country.  
• The total Forest Cover has an area of 7,15,342.61 km² (21.76%) whereas the Tree Cover has an area of 1,12,014.34 km² (3.41%).
• How forest cover is define in India?
  • According to FSI, forest cover is defined as.
    • 1. All lands with a tree canopy density of more than 10%
    • 2. With an area of more than one hectare.
    • 3. Irrespective of ownership, legal status, or species composition of trees.

Note: Go through Supreme Court Judgement in T.N Godavarman Thirumalpad v/s Union of India Case 1996.

Class	Area (km²)	Percentage of GA
Forest Cover	7,15,342.61	21.76%
Tree Cover	1,12,014.34	3.41%
Total Forest and Tree Cover	8,27,356.95	25.17%
Scrub	43,622.64	1.33%
Non Forest	24,16,489.29	73.50%
Geographical Area of the Country	32,87,468.88	100.00%

• Increase in Forest and Tree Cover:  The country’s forest and tree cover has increased by 1,445.81 km², with a 156.41 km² rise in forest cover compared to 2021.
  • Maximum increase (Forest and Tree Cover): Chhattisgarh (684 sq km) > Uttar Pradesh (559 sq km), Odisha (559 sq km) > Rajasthan (394 sq km).
  • Maximum Increase (Forest Cover): Mizoram (242 sq km) followed by Gujarat (180 sq km) and Odisha (152 sq km).
  • Largest Decrease: Madhya Pradesh (612.41 km²) followed by Karnataka (459.36 km²), Ladakh (159.26 km²), and Nagaland (125.22 km²).
  • Top Three States:
    • Area wise top three states having largest forest cover are Madhya Pradesh (77,073 sq km) followed by Arunachal Pradesh (65,882 sq km) and Chhattisgarh (55,812 sq km).
    • Percentage Wise: Lakshadweep (91.33%) > Mizoram (85.34%) > Andaman & Nicobar Island (81.62%).
• High Forest Cover: 
  • 19 states/UTs have above 33% of the geographical area under forest cover.
  • Out of these, eight states/UTs namely Mizoram, Lakshadweep, A & N Island, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Manipur have forest cover above 75%.
• Carbon Stock: 
  • The country’s forest carbon stock is estimated at 7,285.5 million tonnes, with an increase of 81.5 million tonnes compared to 2021.
  • Top 3: Arunachal Pradesh (1,021 Mt) followed by Madhya Pradesh (608 Mt), Chhattisgarh (505 Mt) and Maharashtra (465 Mt).
  • India’s carbon stock has reached 30.43 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalent, exceeding the 2005 base year by 2.29 billion tonnes, nearing the 2030 target of 2.5–3.0 billion tonnes.
• Regional Performance: 
  • The Western Ghats Eco-Sensitive Areas (WGESA) covers 60,285.61 km², with 44,043.99 km² (73%) under forest cover. 
  • The total forest and tree cover in the Northeastern region is 1,74,394.70 km², which is 67% of the geographical area of these states.
• Mangrove Cover: 
  • India’s mangrove cover is 4,991.68 km², representing 0.15% of the total geographical area, with a net decrease of 7.43 km² since 2021. 
  • Gujarat saw a decrease of 36.39 km² in mangrove cover, while Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra experienced increases of 13.01 km² and 12.39 km², respectively.

• Forest Fire: 
  • The top three states with the most fire incidents in the 2023-24 season are Uttarakhand, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh.
• Trend in Forestry Parameters between 2013 to 2023: 
  • Increase in Greenery:
    • 1. The forest cover of the country has shown an increase of 16,630.25 km².
    • 2. The tree cover has shown an increase of 20,747.34 km². 
    • 3. Mangrove cover of the country has increased by 296.33 km2.
  • Soil Health:
    • 1.  There is a general improvement in soil health (87.16% of shallow to deep soil as against 83.53% in 2013) reflected by improvement in humus. 
    • 2.  The soil organic carbon has increased from 55.85  tonnes per hectare to 56.08 tonnes per hectare. 
    •   3.  Soil organic carbon is carbon contained in soil organic matter which contributes to soil aggregation, enhancing soil structure and stability.
  • Biotic influences:
    • 1.  Biotic influences on forests have also come down to  26.66% from 31.28% in 2013 which indicates improved floral biodiversity, and improved surroundings for faunal biodiversity.
    • 2.  Biotic influences are any influence of living organisms. In forests, the biotic influences could  include grazing, browsing, man-made fire, pollarding, illicit felling, and lopping.

Conclusion

The 18th ISFR 2023 paints a hopeful picture of India’s commitment to preserving its natural environment while addressing challenges like forest degradation and biotic influences. The report showcases notable gains in forest and tree cover, carbon stock, and biodiversity while reinforcing the need for collective action toward sustainable development. As a critical resource, ISFR 2023 inspires efforts to balance development with ecological conservation, paving the way for a greener and more resilient future.

UPSC Prelims Question:

Q: With reference to the 18th Indian State of Forest Report 2023, consider the following statements:

1. The total forest and tree cover in India constitutes more than 30% of the country’s geographical area.
2. Mizoram has recorded the maximum increase in forest cover among all states.
3. India’s mangrove cover has shown a significant increase compared to the 2021 assessment.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 2 only
d) None of the above

Answer: c) 1 and 2 only