Context:
Recent data from the Global Forest Watch (GFW) monitoring project shows that India has experienced a loss of 2.33 million hectares of tree cover since the year 2000. This decline represents a 6% reduction in tree cover over this period.
Relevance:
GS III: Environment and Ecology
Dimensions of the Article:
- Key Findings of Global Forest Watch (GFW)
- Status of Forest at the Global Level
- Status of Forests in India
- Major Forest Conservation Initiatives in India
Key Findings of Global Forest Watch (GFW)
Loss of Humid Primary Forest in India:
- India lost approximately 4,14,000 hectares of humid primary forest (about 4.1% of the total tree cover) between 2002 and 2023.
- A primary forest is a forest that hasn’t been damaged by human activity.
Carbon Emissions and Absorption:
- From 2001 to 2022, Indian forests emitted 51 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent annually.
- Indian forests removed 141 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent annually.
- Net carbon balance represents a carbon sink of approximately 89.9 million tons annually.
Tree Cover Loss within Natural Forests:
- 95% of the tree cover loss in India between 2013 and 2023 occurred within natural forests.
- Maximum tree cover loss:
- 189,000 hectares in 2017
- 175,000 hectares in 2016
- 144,000 hectares in 2023
States with Highest Tree Cover Loss:
- Five states accounted for 60% of all tree cover loss between 2001 and 2023.
- Assam experienced the highest tree cover loss at 324,000 hectares (compared to an average of 66,600 hectares).
- Significant losses also observed in Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, and Manipur.
Impact of Forest Fires:
- Fires caused 1.6% of tree cover loss in India between 2001 and 2022.
- Maximum tree cover loss due to fires was recorded in 2008, amounting to 3,000 hectares.
- Odisha had the highest rate of tree cover loss due to fires, averaging 238 hectares lost per year from 2001 to 2022.
Role of Forests in Climate Change:
- Forests act as a carbon sink by absorbing carbon dioxide when standing or regrowing.
- Forest loss accelerates climate change by releasing stored carbon into the atmosphere.
Status of Forest at the Global Level
Humid Primary Forest Loss:
- From 2002 to 2023, a total of 76.3 Mha (million hectares) of humid primary forest was lost globally, accounting for 16% of the total tree cover loss in the same period.
Total Tree Cover Loss:
- From 2001 to 2023, the global tree cover loss amounted to 488 Mha, equivalent to a 12% decrease since 2000.
Drivers of Tree Cover Loss:
- Globally from 2001 to 2022, 23% of tree cover loss occurred due to deforestation.
Tree Cover Distribution:
- As of 2010, the top 5 countries represented 55% of all tree cover.
- Russia had the most tree cover at 755 Mha, followed by Brazil, Canada, the US, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Tree Cover Loss by Fires:
- From 2001 to 2022, 126 Mha of tree cover was lost due to fires globally, and 333 Mha from other drivers of loss.
Initial Tree Cover:
- In 2010, the world’s tree cover spanned approximately 3.92 billion hectares (Gha), roughly 30% of the Earth’s land area.
Tree Cover Loss:
- Between 2010 and 2023, the global tree cover loss amounted to 28.3 Mha, due to factors like deforestation, land-use changes, and natural disturbances.
Status of Forests in India
Forest and Tree Cover:
- According to the India State of Forest Report 2021, the total forest and tree cover in India is 24.62% of the country’s geographical area.
- Total forest cover is 21.71% and the total tree cover is 2.91%.
State-wise Forest Cover:
- Madhya Pradesh has the largest forest cover, followed by Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Maharashtra.
Top States by Forest Cover (% of Geographical Area):
- Mizoram (84.53%), Arunachal Pradesh (79.33%), Meghalaya (76.00%), Manipur (74.34%), and Nagaland (73.90%).
Employment in Forestry Sector:
- According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), 6.26M people were employed in India’s forestry sector in 2010.
Contribution to Economy:
- According to the FAO, the forestry sector contributed a net -690 million USD to India’s economy in 2010, approximately -0.037% of India’s GDP.
Plantation Area:
- In India, wood fibre or timber represents the largest plantation area by type, spanning 5.92 Mha and covering 1.9% of the land area.
Largest Relative Plantation Area:
- Lakshadweep has the largest relative plantation area in India at 76%, primarily consisting of fruit plantations.
Major Forest Conservation Initiatives in India
Forest Cover Assessment:
- The Forest Survey of India (FSI) conducts biennial assessments of forest cover, with findings published in the India State of Forest Report (ISFR).
- ISFR 2021 reported India’s forest and tree cover at 8,09,537 sq km, accounting for 24.62% of the country’s geographical area.
- This marks an increase of 2261 sq km compared to the ISFR 2019 assessment, indicating progress in forest conservation efforts.
Government Initiatives to Boost Forest Cover:
- National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC):
- Launched in 2008 to raise awareness about climate change and counter its effects.
- National Mission for Green India:
- One of the eight Missions under NAPCC.
- Aims to protect, restore, and enhance India’s forest cover and respond to climate change through adaptation and mitigation measures.
- Nagar Van Yojana (NVY):
- Launched in 2020 with a goal to establish 600 Nagar Vans and 400 Nagar Vatika in urban and peri-urban areas by 2024-25.
- Intends to increase green cover, preserve biodiversity, and improve urban dwellers’ quality of life.
- Compensatory Afforestation Fund (CAMPA):
- Used by States/UTs for compensatory afforestation to counterbalance forest land diversion for developmental projects.
- 90% of the CAF funds go to states, while 10% are retained by the Centre.
- Multi-Departmental Efforts:
- Afforestation activities are undertaken under various programs and schemes by line Ministries, State Governments/UT Administrations, NGOs, Civil Society, and Corporate bodies.
- Notable efforts include participation in the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, National Bamboo Mission, and Sub-Mission on Agroforestry.
- Draft National Forest Policy:
- A draft was released in 2019 focusing on conservation, protection, and management of forests, and safeguarding the interests of tribals and forest-dependent people.
-Source: Indian Express
