The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has announced a significant update in its assessment of the country’s forest cover. The Forest Survey of India (FSI) will now use the updated base year of 2022-23 for compiling the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and forest cover data, replacing the previous base year of 2011-12.

The assessment of forest cover, which is conducted biennially, shows that India’s total forest cover now stands at 7,13,789 square kilometers, accounting for 21.71% of the nation’s geographical area.

The latest data, provided in the India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2021, indicates that forest and tree cover has increased by 7,449 square kilometers from the previous assessment in 2017. Notably, there has been no loss in forest cover or tree cover, allaying concerns about increased carbon emissions due to deforestation.

The government clarified that discrepancies between the ISFR 2021 and Global Forest Watch data may arise due to differences in the definitions of forest cover and tree cover used in the two reports. The Ministry assured that there has been no significant environmental degradation in terms of forest cover loss.

In response to evolving environmental concerns, the government also announced amendments to the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980. These amendments, which came into effect on December 1, 2023, aim to strengthen the conservation, management, and restoration of forests.

The revised provisions emphasize ecologically sustainable development, ecological security, and the preservation of traditional values tied to forests. The amendments also seek to advance India’s goals of carbon neutrality while supporting economic needs.