Forest Accounting Report: India’s Forest Area Up 2.5% Over a Decade
Why in the news
MoSPI published the country’s first standalone forest accounting study, using the UN System of Environmental Economic Accounts (SEEA) Framework.
Forest area by density (sq km)
| Class | 2010-11 | 2021-22 |
|---|---|---|
| Very Dense (above 70% canopy) | 83,502 | 102,502 (+22.7%) |
| Moderately Dense (40-70%) | 318,745 | 307,673 (decline) |
| Open (10-40%) | 295,651 | 305,167 (+3.2%) |
| All forest | 697,898 | 715,342 |
- Net gain from afforestation, reforestation and conservation; very dense growth signals better quality.
State gains (sq km)
- Tamil Nadu +2,606; Karnataka +3,122; Kerala +4,137; Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra also contributed.
Losses and encroachment
- Primary forest loss 2024: 18,200 ha (17,700 ha in 2023).
- Total encroachment: 13,056 sq km, led by Madhya Pradesh (5,460.9) and Assam (3,620.9); 409.77 sq km removed.
Exam angle
- Publisher: MoSPI; top state gain: Kerala.