India State of Forest Report, 2023

On 21st December, 2024, Union Minister released the ‘India State of Forest Report 2023’ (ISFR 2023), highlighting significant growth in the country’s forest and tree resources.

Key Points

Increase in Forest and Tree Cover: India's total forest and tree cover stands at 827,357 sq km (25.17% of total geographical area), with a 1,445 sq km increase since 2021. This includes 156 sq km of forest cover and 1,289 sq km of tree cover.
Top Performing States: Chhattisgarh led with a 684 sq km increase, followed by Uttar Pradesh, Odisha (both 559 sq km), and Rajasthan (394 sq km). Mizoram, Gujarat, and Odisha recorded the largest increases in forest cover alone.
Forest-Rich States: Madhya Pradesh leads in total forest and tree cover (85,724 sq km), with Arunachal Pradesh and Maharashtra following. Lakshadweep has the highest percentage of forest cover relative to its area (91.33%).
Bamboo and Mangroves Growth: Bamboo-bearing areas increased by 5,227 sq km to 154,670 sq km. Mangrove cover stands at 4,992 sq km.
Carbon Stock Achievements: India's forest carbon stock rose by 81.5 million tonnes to 7,285.5 million tonnes, surpassing the 2030 carbon sink target under its Nationally Determined Contributions.
Technological Advancements: Real-time forest fire alerts and management services by the Forest Survey of India enhance monitoring and protection.