A forest forms a complex ecosystem where trees dominate. It’s a vital part of our planet, providing habitat for countless species, regulating climate, purifying air and water, and offering resources for human societies. Forests are diverse, ranging from dense rainforests to boreal coniferous forests, each with unique characteristics and ecological significance. They play a crucial role in maintaining the Earth’s balance and are essential for the well-being of all life on the planet. Forests in India are steadily increasing, as shown in the ISFR reports
Forest Types in India
India’s forests are categorized based on several parameters.
1. Based on Canopy Density:
- Very Dense Forests (VDF): These have a canopy density of more than 70%. They make up 3.04% of India’s total geographical area.
- Moderately Dense Forests (MDF): These have a canopy density between 40% and 70% and account for 9.33% of the area.
- Open Forests (OF): With a canopy density of 10% to 40%, open forests cover 9.34% of the land.
- Overall, Forest means area more than 1 hectare and 10% or more canopy.
2. Based on Legal Classification:
- Reserved Forests: Managed by the government for preservation and wildlife protection.
- Protected Forests: These allow limited human activities like grazing and timber extraction under strict regulations.
- Unclassified Forests: Often found in northeastern states, these are not officially designated and may include community-owned lands.
3. Based on Ecological Zones:
- Tropical Rainforests: Found in areas with high rainfall, like the Western Ghats and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
- Tropical Deciduous Forests: These are the most common, found in central and northern India.
- Montane Forests: Found in hilly and mountainous regions like the Himalayas.
- Mangrove Forests: Located along coastal regions, these are crucial for protecting against erosion.
India’s Forest Cover: ISFR Report Highlights
India State of Forest Report (ISFR) assess forest cover in India every two years. The reports give us detailed insights into the condition and management of forests in the country.
ISFR 2021 Key Highlights:
The India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2021, published by the Forest Survey of India (FSI), provides a comprehensive assessment of India’s forest resources. Mapping of forest cover is carried out using medium resolution satellite data (23.5 m) from the indigenous LISS – III sensor of IRS Resourcesat on a scale of 1:50,000. Here are some key highlights from the ISFR 2021:
Forest and Tree Cover:
India has 7,13,789 square kilometers of forest, accounting for 21.71% of the country’s geographical area. The total forest and tree cover in India increased by 2,261 square kilometers since the 2019 assessment. The forest cover alone increased by 1,540 square kilometers, and tree cover by 721 square kilometers. This brings the total forest and tree cover to 80.9 million hectares, which is 24.62% of India’s geographical area.
- Forest Cover: 21.71 %
- Tree Cover: 24.62 %
State-Wise Changes:
States with the highest increase in forest cover include Andhra Pradesh (647 sq km), Telangana (632 sq km), Odisha (537 sq km), Karnataka (155 sq km), and Jharkhand (110 sq km). Conversely, some northeastern states like Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Nagaland experienced a decrease in forest cover.
- Madhya Pradesh has the largest forest cover in the country followed by Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Maharashtra
Tiger Reserves and Corridors:
For the first time, forest cover was assessed in tiger reserves and corridors. Out of 52 tiger reserves, 20 showed an increase in forest cover since 2011, while 32 had a decrease. Overall, there was a slight decrease in forest cover in tiger reserves by 22.6 sq km, but an increase in tiger corridors by 37.15 sq km.
Carbon Stock:
There was an increase of 79.4 million tonnes in the carbon stock of the country compared to 2019, bringing the total to 7,204 million tonnes.
Mangrove Cover:
The mangrove cover in India increased by 17 sq km, with the total standing at 4,992 sq km.
Bamboo Forests:
The number of bamboo culms (stems) in India saw a significant rise from 13,882 million in 2019 to 53,336 million in 2021, indicating growth in bamboo forests.
Forest Degradation:
While there was an overall increase in green cover, there was a decline of about 1,582 sq km in moderately dense forests (MDF), suggesting some areas of natural forest degradation. This has been offset to some extent by an increase in open forest areas, but it raises concerns about the quality of forest cover.
Climate Change Hotspots:
A new chapter on mapping climate change hotspots in Indian forests was introduced, highlighting areas that might be adversely affected by climate change in the future.
Forest Fires:
An increase in forest fire incidents was noted, with 345,000 incidents detected between November 2020 and June 2021, a 177% increase from the previous year’s detection period.
ISFR 2019 Highlights:
- Forest Cover: 7,12,249 square kilometers (21.67% of the total area).
- Tree Cover: 95,027 square kilometers.
- The report showed an increase of 5,188 square kilometers in forest and tree cover since ISFR 2017.
Key Trends in India’s Forests
- Improvement in Urban Tree Cover: Urban forestry initiatives have increased tree cover in cities.
- Loss in Natural Forests: Some regions experienced deforestation due to mining, infrastructure projects, and agriculture.
- Bamboo Resources: The total bamboo-bearing area has increased by 3.87 million hectares, promoting sustainable livelihoods.
Challenges Faced by Forests in India
- Deforestation: Driven by urbanization, agriculture, and industrial activities.
- Forest Fires: India reported over 3.45 lakh forest fire incidents in 2021.
- Illegal Logging: Unregulated timber harvesting continues to degrade forests.
- Climate Change: Rising temperatures and erratic rainfall patterns threaten forest ecosystems.
Steps for Forest Conservation
- Afforestation Programs: Initiatives like the National Afforestation Programme (NAP) aim to increase green cover.
- Eco-Sensitive Zones: Protecting areas around national parks and sanctuaries.
- Sustainable Forestry: Promoting the use of non-timber forest products (NTFPs).
- Community Participation: Encouraging local communities to manage forests through joint forest management (JFM) initiatives.
Forests in India are steadily increasing, as shown in the ISFR reports. However, challenges like deforestation and climate change demand stronger action. Protecting forests is vital for biodiversity, livelihoods, and a sustainable future. Advanced tools like satellite imagery and community participation can further boost conservation efforts.
