India’s Tree and Forest Area Increased by 2,261 sq km

According to the India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2021, the tree and forest area of India has increased by 2,261 sq km in the last two years. The total forest and tree cover of India is 80.9 million hectares, making it 24.62% of the geographical area. 

Currently, Madhya Pradesh has the largest forest cover in terms of the area. The report of the Forest Survey of India was released by Union Minister Bhupendra Yadav.

The top five states as a percentage of total geographical area are Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, and Nagaland. The report also included that the gain in forest cover could be a result of better conservation measures, protection, afforestation activities, tree plantation drives and agroforestry.

FSI collaborated with the Birla Institute of Technology & Science Pilani and Goa campus for a study based on the Mapping of Climate Change Hotspots in Indian forests. Both the institutions engaged in the study to find out the climate hotspots in Indian forests.