India’s Forest Cover Growth: Hidden Challenges, Ecological Costs

Why in the news?

The ISFR-2023 reveals marginal forest cover growth, highlights increasing reliance on plantations, and raises concerns over the steady loss of dense natural forests in India.

India’s Forest Cover Growth: Hidden Challenges, Ecological Costs

Trends in Forest and Tree Cover

  • According to ISFR-2023, India’s total green cover now exceeds 25%, with 21.76% as forest cover and 3.41% as tree cover.
  • Tree cover showed a significant increase of 1,289 sq km, reflecting a sharp 0.5% growth in the last two years.
  • In contrast, forest cover growth remains marginal, increasing by only 0.05% since 2021.
  • Over two decades, the rise in tree cover is largely due to plantations, while the increase in natural forest cover has stagnated.

Decline in Dense Forests

  • Between 2021 and 2023, India lost 3,913 sq km of dense forests, consistent with a 20-year trend of steady degradation.
  • From 2003 to 2023, 24,651 sq km of dense forests were destroyed, half the size of Punjab.
  • Although some losses were offset by plantations, natural dense forests are being replaced by monoculture plantations, raising ecological concerns.
  • The reclassification of plantations as dense forests inflates growth statistics, masking the reality of forest degradation.

Implications of Plantation-Centric Growth

  • Plantations, often monoculture, are less biodiverse, more vulnerable to pests and fires, and hinder natural forest regeneration.
  • Unlike old-growth forests, plantations store less carbon and offer fewer ecological benefits.
  • The UNFCCC has criticized India’s assumption that plantations match natural forest carbon stocks in just eight years.
  • While plantations help meet carbon targets faster, their frequent harvesting undermines long-term climate goals.

India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2023: Key Highlights

  • Top States by Forest Cover (Area): Madhya Pradesh (77,073 sq km), Arunachal Pradesh (65,882 sq km), Chhattisgarh (55,812 sq km).
  • Forest Cover (% of Area): Lakshadweep (91.33%), Mizoram (85.34%), Andaman & Nicobar Islands (81.62%).
  • Overall Green Cover: Increased to 25.17% (21.76% forest, 3.41% tree).
  • Notable Changes: Chhattisgarh, UP, Odisha, Rajasthan recorded the highest increases.
  • Mangrove Cover: Total 4,992 sq km (7.43 sq km decline).
  • Bamboo Area: Increased by 5,227 sq km to 1,54,670 sq km.
  • Carbon Stock: Reached 30.43 Bt CO₂ equivalent, nearing NDC target.

Sources Referred:

PIB, The Hindu, Indian Express, Hindustan Times