Conservation and Greening: Insights from ISFR 2023
The India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2023 highlights significant trends in India’s forest cover and conservation efforts over the past decade. Despite an increase in forest area, the net ecological benefits remain stagnant due to degradation of high-value ecological zones and other factors. Here, we explore key findings, trends, and challenges to uncover the true state of conservation and greening in India.
Decadal Forest Cover Change (2013-2023)
India’s forest cover increased from 6,98,712.36 sq km to 7,15,342.61 sq km, marking a net growth of 16,630.25 sq km. This includes:
- Inside Recorded Forest Area (RFA)/Greenwash (GW): 440.47 sq km
- Outside RFA/GW: 16,189.78 sq km
- Tree Cover Increase: 20,747.34 sq km
Top Contributors to Forest Cover Growth (Inside RFA/GW):
- Mizoram
- Odisha
- Karnataka
- West Bengal
- Jharkhand
States Showing Decline (Inside RFA/GW):
- Tripura
- Telangana
- Assam
- Andhra Pradesh
- Gujarat
Outside RFA/GW, Gujarat, Bihar, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, and Assam led the increase, while Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Andhra Pradesh saw declines. This reveals varied regional dynamics driven by land use, policies, and ecological priorities.
The North-Eastern Region
The north-eastern states—home to 67% forest cover—registered a worrying decline of 327.30 sq km. This is particularly concerning given their role in biodiversity conservation and watershed management. Altitude zones below 1,000 m showed gains, but higher zones witnessed significant losses.
Western Ghats Eco-Sensitive Areas (WGESA)
The WGESA spans 60,285.61 sq km, with 44,043.99 sq km (73%) under forest cover. However, the region faced a net loss of 58.22 sq km in the past decade.
Key Changes in Forest Density:
- Very Dense Forests: Increase of 3,465.12 sq km
- Moderately Dense Forests: Decrease of 1,043.23 sq km
- Open Forests: Decrease of 2,480.11 sq km
Mangrove Cover
Mangroves saw a decadal increase of 296.33 sq km, but a recent decrease of 7.43 sq km since 2021 highlights ongoing threats. Gujarat recorded the largest loss (36.39 sq km), while Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra showed gains. Conversion for agriculture and aquaculture, as well as erosion, are major drivers of mangrove loss.
Carbon Stock and Sequestration
India’s forests have a carbon stock of 7,285.5 million tonnes (mt), with an annual increase of 40.75 mt. Globally, India ranks third in forest area growth with a net positive change of 0.38%.
Contribution to COP26 Targets:
India has achieved 2.29 billion tonnes (bt) of the additional carbon sink target of 2.5 to 3.0 bt by 2030.
Challenges to Conservation
- Forest Degradation: The decline of very dense forests and mangroves far outweighs gains in plantation and agroforestry.
- Policy Conflicts: The Forest (Conservation) Rules, 2022 have led to the displacement of tribal groups and prioritized industrial and commercial plantations over natural forest conservation.
- Top-Down Approach: The 42nd Amendment Act, 1976, limited the autonomy of gram sabhas, undermining community-driven conservation efforts.
- Inequality in Resource Distribution: Economic development often comes at the cost of marginalizing vulnerable communities, further degrading ecological resources.
Way Forward
- Focus on Ecological Zones: High-altitude forests, mangroves, and dense forests require priority conservation.
- Strengthen Community Participation: Empower gram sabhas and local communities in forest management.
- Integrate Sustainable Development: Balance industrial needs with ecological preservation.
- Carbon Sequestration Strategies: Upgrade degraded land density to unlock its potential of 636.50 mt carbon sequestration.
Conclusion
The ISFR 2023 underscores the need for a balanced approach that combines forest area expansion with ecological quality improvement. India must address systemic issues—from policy conflicts to resource inequality—to unlock the true potential of its forests for a sustainable future.
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