Forest Cover Data from Global Forest Watch monitoring Project

Context

According to the latest data from the Global Forest Watch monitoring project, India has lost 2.33 million hectares of tree cover since 2000, equivalent to a 6 percent decrease in tree cover during this period, 

Key Highlights

• Primary Forest Loss: India misplaced 4,14,000 hectares of humid primary forest (four.1 per cent) from 2002 to 2023, making up 18 percent of its total tree cover loss in the same duration.
• Tree Cover Loss: From 2001 to 2023, India lost 2.33 Mha of tree cover, equal to a 6.0% decrease in tree cover since 2000.
  • From 2013 to 2023, 95% of tree cover loss in India occurred within natural forest.
  • Five states accounted for 60 percent of all tree cover loss between 2001 and 2023.
  • Assam had the maximum tree cover loss followed by Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, and Manipur.
• Tree Cover Gain: In India, the pinnacle 6 regions had been chargeable for 54% of all tree cover gain between 2000 and 2020. Karnataka had the maximum tree cover gain.
  • From 2000 to 2020, India gained 1.4% of the global total.
• All Tree Cover: As of 2010, the pinnacle 7 regions constitute 55% of all tree cover. 
  • Arunachal Pradesh had the most tree cover followed by Assam, Chhattisgarh, Kerala and Odisha.
• Loss Due to Forest Fires: India misplaced 35,900 hectares of tree cover due to fires from 2002 to 2022, with 2008 recording the most tree cover loss due to fires.
  • From 2001 to 2022, Odisha had the highest rate of tree cover loss due to fires. Arunachal Pradesh misplaced 198 hectares, Nagaland 195 hectares, Assam 116 hectares, and Meghalaya 97 hectares.
• Carbon Sink: Between 2001 and 2022, forests in India emitted 51 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent a year and removed 141 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent a year.
  • This represents a rnet carbon sink of 89.9 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent a yr.

Conclusion

• The tree cover loss records featured on the Global Forest Watch represent the best available spatial figures on how forests are converting around the world. 
• The tracking and alert device is designed to empower human beings everywhere with the information they need to better control and preserve forest landscapes.

Source: Indian Express

UPSC Mains Practice Question

Q.The most significant achievement of modern law in India is the constitutionalization of environmental problems by the Supreme Court.” Discuss this statement with the help of relevant case laws. (2022)

Download as PDF