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India records marginal increase in forest cover
Context:
According to the biennial India State of Forest Report (SFR) 2017, India has recorded a marginal increase in forest cover.
Findings of the Survey:
- According to the Survey, India has about 7, 08,273 square kilometres of forest, which is 21.53% of the geographic area of the country (32, 87,569 sq. km).
- The category of ‘very dense forest’ saw a dramatic rise from 85,904 square kilometres to 98,158 square kilometres in 2017.
- However, the category of ‘moderately dense forest’ (40%-70%) saw a 7,056 square kilometre-decline from 2015.
- The survey has found that India’s bamboo bearing area rose by 1.73 million hectares (2011) to 15.69 million hectares (2017).
Note: Earlier this year, the government ceased to define bamboo as a tree to promote economic activity among tribals.
- 15 States and union territories have 33% of their geographical area under forests.
- Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala have topped the States that posted an increase in forest cover.
- Much of this increase can be attributed to plantation and conservation activities both within and outside the Recorded Forest areas as well as an improvement in interpretation of satellite data.
- However, in North-east India, forest cover has shown a decrease.
- In 2017, 65.34%, of the geographical area was under forest in the north-east- a 630 square kilometre decline from the 2015 survey.
About the Survey:
- The forest survey for the first time has mapped 633 districts
- It has relied on satellite mapping
