India State of Forest Report 2023: forest and tree cover at 25.17% of geographical area, up 1,445 sq km since 2021
Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav released ISFR 2023, the 18th biennial report of the Forest Survey of India, at the Forest Research Institute, Dehradun, on 21 December 2024.
Summary
The India State of Forest Report 2023 (ISFR 2023) was released by Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav at the Forest Research Institute, Dehradun, on 21 December 2024. The report, brought out biennially by the Forest Survey of India (FSI) since 1987, is the 18th in the series. India's total forest and tree cover is 8,27,357 sq km, or 25.17% of the geographical area: forest cover is 7,15,343 sq km (21.76%) and tree cover 1,12,014 sq km (3.41%), an increase of 1,445 sq km over 2021. Chhattisgarh (684 sq km) showed the largest increase in forest and tree cover, while Mizoram (242 sq km), Gujarat (180 sq km) and Odisha (152 sq km) recorded the largest increase in forest cover. Madhya Pradesh has the largest forest cover by area, and Lakshadweep (91.33%) the highest by percentage, followed by Mizoram (85.34%) and Andaman & Nicobar Islands (81.62%). Nineteen States/UTs have more than 33% of their area under forest, and the country's mangrove cover is 4,992 sq km.
Key facts
- Report
- ISFR 2023, 18th in the series; biennial since 1987
- Released
- 21 December 2024, Forest Research Institute, Dehradun
- Forest and tree cover
- 8,27,357 sq km (25.17%)
- Forest cover
- 7,15,343 sq km (21.76%)
- Tree cover
- 1,12,014 sq km (3.41%)
- Change since 2021
- +1,445 sq km
- Largest increase (forest and tree cover)
- Chhattisgarh 684 sq km
- Largest increase (forest cover)
- Mizoram 242, Gujarat 180, Odisha 152 sq km
- Highest forest cover by %
- Lakshadweep 91.33%, Mizoram 85.34%, A&N Islands 81.62%
- Mangrove cover
- 4,992 sq km
Practice MCQs 4 questions
According to the India State of Forest Report 2023, what share of India's geographical area is under forest and tree cover?
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Correct answer: B — 25.17%
PIB (MoEFCC): ISFR 2023 puts India's total forest and tree cover at 8,27,357 sq km, which is 25.17% of the geographical area (forest cover 21.76%, tree cover 3.41%).
As per ISFR 2023, which State/UT has the highest forest cover as a percentage of its geographical area?
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Correct answer: A — Lakshadweep
PIB (MoEFCC): Lakshadweep (91.33%) has the highest forest cover in percentage terms, followed by Mizoram (85.34%) and Andaman & Nicobar Islands (81.62%).
Which State showed the maximum increase in forest cover (242 sq km) in ISFR 2023?
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Correct answer: D — Mizoram
PIB (MoEFCC): the top three States showing maximum increase in forest cover are Mizoram (242 sq km), Gujarat (180 sq km) and Odisha (152 sq km). Chhattisgarh led the increase in combined forest and tree cover (684 sq km).
Consider the following statements about the India State of Forest Report 2023: 1. It is brought out by the Forest Survey of India on a biennial basis since 1987. 2. It is the 18th report in the series. 3. It was released at the Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy, Dehradun. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: C — 1 and 2 only
PIB (MoEFCC): statements 1 and 2 are correct. Statement 3 is wrong because ISFR 2023 was released at the Forest Research Institute (FRI), Dehradun.