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News: India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2021 recently released its report, which attracts many questions about the definition of forests and plantation. This article gives answers to all that queries.
| Read here: India State of Forest Report 2021 – Explained, pointwise |
About definition of forest
India’s definition of forest cover is in sync with that of the Kyoto Protocol. According to the protocol, a forest is a land area of more than 0.5 hectares, with a tree canopy cover of more than 10% and a Minimum height of trees at maturity in situ of 2 to 5 m.
Indian definition of the forest includes ‘all land, more than 1 hectare in area, with a tree canopy density of more than 10% irrespective of ownership and legal status. Such land may not necessarily be a recorded forest area. It also includes orchards, bamboo, and palm.
How the forest cover is calculated?
The assessment of forest cover is done based on the interpretation of satellite data. It identifies umbrella-shaped canopies from the sky. The accuracy of classification for forest and non-forest is 95.79% and the accuracy of classification in different density classes is as high as 92.99%.
The forest data from satellites is corroborated from field inventory data. The interpreted maps are then made publicly available. The environment ministry is even considering providing forest cover Maps through a web map service.
What are India’s commitments to restoring the ecological balance of the planet?
On land degradation neutrality: In UN High-Level Dialogue on Desertification, Land Degradation and Drought 2021, PM said that India is on track to achieve its national commitment to land degradation neutrality. He reiterated that India is working towards restoring 26 million hectares of degraded land by 2030. This would help India to achieve an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent.
| Also read: Despite PM Modi’s assurance, land degradation, desertification increasing |
On wildlife conservation: With the launch of Project Tiger in 1973, India now has 51 tiger reserves. This helps preserve natural ecosystems that support ecological processes responsible for providing various goods and services vital for human well-being.
Similar steps are being taken for the conservation of lions, elephants, and other animals whose existence is threatened by poaching or the shrinking of natural habitat.
| Read here: Wildlife conservation efforts in India |
Forest and tree cover: The national Forest policy (1988) goal of 33% forest cover remains to be achieved. At present, it is limited by the inelasticity of forest land. However, the balance can be achieved by taking up plantations outside the forests and restocking in degraded and scrub forests.
This is because the plantations act as the first line of defence against cyclones. Apart from it, they are also capable of meeting all the ecological functions of natural forests and supporting the wildlife there.
According to ISFR 2021, trees outside Forrest (TOF) comprises 36.18% of the total forest entry cover of the country.
Source: This post is based on the article “How to expand India’s forest cover” published in Indian Express on 11th February 2022.
