India's Tree Cover Decline: Global Forest Watch Data

According to the latest data released on April 2024 by Global Forest Watch, India has lost 2.33 million hectares of tree cover since 2000, amounting to a six percent decrease.

Key Points

Carbon Emissions: Forests emitted 51 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent annually between 2001 and 2022, while absorbing 141 million tons, resulting in a net carbon sink of 89.9 million tons yearly.
Drivers of Loss: Tree cover loss encompasses human-caused and natural disturbances, including logging, fire, disease, and storms, impacting climate change dynamics.
Regional Trends: 95 per cent of tree cover loss from 2013 to 2023 occurred within natural forests, with five states—Assam, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, and Manipur—contributing to 60 per cent of loss.
Cautionary Notes: Comparisons of old and new data are cautioned due to algorithm adjustments and improved satellite data, especially pre/post 2015.
Deforestation Concerns: India's deforestation rate, averaging 668,000 hectares annually from 2015 to 2020, ranks second globally, per the Food and Agriculture Organisation.
Fire Impacts: India lost 35,900 hectares of tree cover to fires from 2002 to 2022, with Odisha recording the highest average loss per year.
Data Interpretation: While tree cover serves as a vital metric for forest monitoring, its presence doesn't always signify forests, and loss/gain doesn't directly translate to deforestation/restoration, emphasizing the need for nuanced analysis.