India’s forest cover has long been a focal point in environmental discussions, with contrasting reports on its trajectory—both in terms of growth and degradation. On one hand, the latest India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2021 presents a picture of growth, with the country’s forest and tree cover increasing by over 7,400 square kilometers between 2017 and 2021. On the other hand, global monitoring data, particularly from Global Forest Watch (GFW), suggests a significant loss of tree cover, raising critical questions about the actual state of India’s forests. This contradiction between national and global data has sparked debates regarding forest monitoring methodologies, land-use definitions, and the impact of human activities on India’s ecosystems.
ISFR Data: Growth Despite Challenges
The ISFR 2021, compiled by the Forest Survey of India (FSI), a body under India’s Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, shows that India’s forest cover stands at 713,789 square kilometers, comprising 21.71% of the country’s total geographical area. This report claims a positive trend, with an increase of 7,449 square kilometers of forest and tree cover since the 2017 ISFR. It further highlights that between 2001 and 2021, India gained 58,891 square kilometers of forest cover, while tree cover grew by 14,277 square kilometers. This overall net gain of 74,168 square kilometers over two decades, according to the Ministry, signals progress in the nation’s efforts to preserve and expand its green cover.
Furthermore, the ISFR methodology factors in both forests and non-forest areas with tree cover, such as orchards, bamboo groves, and palm plantations, which may explain its more optimistic view compared to other monitoring systems. The report also notes the implementation of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, which was amended in 2023 to improve forest conservation and ensure ecologically sustainable development.
Global Forest Watch: Concerns Over Tree Cover Loss
In stark contrast to India’s ISFR, Global Forest Watch (GFW), an international project that uses satellite data to track forest changes in real-time, reports a significant loss of 2.33 million hectares of tree cover in India between 2001 and 2023, marking a 6% decrease. The GFW data also suggests that 60% of the loss occurred in the Northeastern states, particularly Assam, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, and Manipur. The project further estimates that this loss contributed to 51 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually. This claim has raised alarm, as it suggests that despite the increase in forest and tree cover reported by India, the environmental impact may be more severe than anticipated.
GFW’s findings are based on the Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) global standards, which focus on criteria such as tree height, canopy cover, and biophysical attributes. The discrepancies arise from the different definitions of forest cover and tree cover used by GFW and ISFR. GFW’s data is focused on humid primary forests, while ISFR includes a broader range of tree-covered areas, including man-made plantations and agricultural land with tree cover. As such, the Ministry of Environment and FSI have rejected GFW’s findings, claiming that the data lacks ground reality and does not align with internationally accepted norms.
Discrepancies and Methodological Differences
The main contention between the two reports lies in the definitions and criteria for classifying forest and tree cover. GFW’s focus on humid primary forests and the quantification of carbon emissions provides a more limited view of the overall forest dynamics, while ISFR’s broader approach encompasses all types of tree cover. ISFR includes areas as small as one hectare with over 10% tree canopy cover, irrespective of legal ownership or status, which explains its more inclusive and optimistic estimates. In contrast, GFW primarily measures tree cover loss caused by human activities like logging, fires, and deforestation, but it also includes disturbances from natural factors, such as storms or disease outbreaks, which ISFR does not always account for in its data.
Additionally, GFW’s methodology does not factor in land-use changes or regeneration processes in its analysis. As a result, GFW’s findings of tree cover loss may not fully reflect India’s ongoing efforts in afforestation and sustainable forestry practices.
NE India faces severe forest cover loss, contributing to over 75% of national tree cover decline
The northeastern region of India, which accounts for 7.98% of the country’s geographical area and 23.75% of its total forest cover, is facing a significant decline in its forest health. Over the past two years, the region has lost 1,020 square kilometers of forest cover.
Mizoram, with the highest percentage of forest cover at 84.53%, faces severe degradation, as do other states like Arunachal Pradesh (79.33%) and Meghalaya (76%), where forests are largely open or degraded. Manipur, with 74.34% forest cover, has lost much of its forested land in the Imphal Valley, leaving forests confined to the mountainous fringe. Nagaland, with 73.90% forest cover, is also witnessing considerable stress on its forest ecosystems.
Assam, with 36.11% of its geographical area covered in forests, has seen a particularly alarming trend, with significant portions of its forests classified as ‘Open Forest’ or ‘Moderately Dense Forest.’
From 2001 to 2020, the northeastern region experienced the highest tree cover loss in India, with Assam contributing about 14% of the national loss. According to Global Forest Watch (GFW), over 75% of India’s tree cover loss between 2001-2023 occurred in the Northeast.
Nagaland’s forest cover declines by 238 sq km from 2017 to 2021, ISFR data reveals
Nagaland’s forest cover has seen a slight decline between the years 2017 and 2021, according to the Indian State of Forest Report (ISFR) data. The state covers a geographical area of 16,579 square kilometers, with its forest cover recorded at 12,489 square kilometers in 2017. This figure remained almost the same in 2019, with a marginal decrease to 12,486 square kilometers. However, by 2021, the forest cover had further reduced to 12,251 square kilometers, marking a total decrease of 238 square kilometers over four years.
This decline, while not drastic, indicates a concerning trend of forest loss. The drop in forest cover from ISFR 2017 to ISFR 2021, despite fluctuations in between, could be attributed to several factors, including encroachment, deforestation for agriculture, and infrastructural development. While the decline may appear modest in numerical terms, it highlights the ongoing challenges faced by the state’s ecosystems, especially considering the broader environmental concerns in the region.
These figures suggest that concerted efforts are needed to protect and restore Nagaland’s forests, as even small decreases in forest area can have long-term ecological impacts. Strategies for sustainable forest management, stricter enforcement of environmental regulations, and increased awareness of conservation practices will be crucial in reversing this trend. (With inputs from agencies)