Union Minister for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav released the India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2023 at the Forest Research Institute (FRI) in Dehradun on Saturday. Published by the Forest Survey of India (FSI), this 18th biennial report provides comprehensive insights into the country’s forest and tree resources.
As per the report, India’s total forest and tree cover stands at 8,27,357 sq. km, accounting for 25.17% of the geographical area. This includes 7,15,343 sq. km (21.76%) forest cover and 1,12,014 sq. km (3.41%) tree cover. Compared to the 2021 assessment, there has been an increase of 1,445 sq. km, with 156 sq. km in forest cover and 1,289 sq. km in tree cover.
The ISFR 2023 also provides detailed data on forest cover, tree cover, mangroves, carbon stock, forest fire incidents, and agroforestry. The findings are based on advanced remote sensing satellite data and field-based National Forest Inventory.
Key officials, including Minister of State for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Kirti Vardhan Singh and Ministry Secretary Leena Nandan, were present at the event. Bhupender Yadav also highlighted the near real-time fire alerts and forest fire services provided by FSI through advanced technology.
