India Reports Growth in Green Cover Amid Concerns

India Reports Growth in Green Cover Amid Concerns

Why in the News ?

At the UN Forum on Forests, India reported an increase in forest and tree cover to 25.17% of its geographical area. However, experts flagged methodological flaws, loss of unclassed forests, and rising forest degradation, questioning the credibility of the data.

India Reports Growth in Green Cover Amid Concerns

Key Highlights from UNFF Presentation :

  • India presented the State of Forest Report (ISFR) at the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF) held in New York (May 5–9).
  • Reported 17% of India’s land as green cover, with 21.76% forest and 3.41% tree cover.
  • Marked an increase of 1,445 sq km since 2021 — equivalent to Delhi’s size.
  • Highlighted initiatives:
    • Aravalli Green Wall
    • 86% rise in mangrove cover over 10 years.
    • 55 lakh hectares afforested under Green India Mission.
    • 4 billion seedlings planted under Plant4Mother campaign.
  • Shared pilot study findings on ecosystem services using SEEA and MEA

Expert Concerns and Criticisms

  • Experts flagged flaws in methodology:
    • Plantations, orchards like mango, coconut included in forest cover.
    • Loss of 1,488 sq km of unclassed forests between 2021–23.
    • Degradation of 92,989 sq km reported in ISFR 2023.
  • Supreme Court directives allegedly not followed.
  • Experts argue it reflects degradation, not actual growth.
  • Call for scientific assessment, not feel-good declarations.

Forest Governance and Ecosystem Valuation Efforts

  • India emphasized integrating ecosystem valuation into national planning.
  • Participated in high-level panel on “Valuing Forest Ecosystems in Policy.”
  • Ecosystem benefits like carbon sequestration, biodiversity, and water provisioning were highlighted.
  • Stressed on need for sustainable, evidence-based forest governance.

About United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF):

What is UNFF?

●     A functional commission under ECOSOC, focusing on global forest policy coordination.

●     Provides a platform for promoting Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) globally.

●     Established: 2000 by ECOSOC Resolution 2000/35.

●     Headquarters: UN Headquarters, New York, USA.

Objectives:

●     Promote conservation, sustainable use, and development of all forest types.

●     Enhance political commitment to forest-related goals.

●     Support Agenda 21, Rio Forest Principles, and global forest targets.

Key Functions:

●     Coordinate forest policy among UN member states.

●     Oversee UN Strategic Plan for Forests 2017–2030.

●     Promote global cooperation to stop deforestation and degradation.

●     Organizes biennial sessions:

○      Odd years – Technical review.

○      Even years – Policy formulation.

India and the United Nations Forum on Forests:

India’s Participation at UNFF20:

●     Reiterated commitment to Voluntary National Contributions (VNCs) under UNSPF 2017–2030.

●     Reported 25.17% green cover of geographical area.

National Achievements Shared:

●     Aravalli Green Wall restoration.

●     7.86% increase in mangrove cover in a decade.

●     1.55 lakh hectares afforested under Green India Mission.

●     1.4 billion seedlings planted via Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign.

Global Contributions:

●     Urged countries to join the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA).

●     Promoted Dehradun CLI 2023 outcomes on forest fire and certification.

●     Acknowledged CLI efforts of Congo, DPR Korea, and Austria.