Jul 09 2014 : The Times of India (Delhi)
India's green cover grows 5,871 sq km in 2 yrs
New Delhi:
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India recorded an increase of 5,871 sq km in its forest cover in the past two years with West Bengal contributing over 60% of the total rise in green area.Odisha, Kerala, Jharkhand and Bihar were some of the other states which contributed to this marginal increase. Hilly and tribal districts of the country registered an increase in forest cover of 40 sq km and 2,396 sq km, respectively .
The northeastern states, which account for one-fourth of the country's forest cover, recorded a net decline of 627 sq km in 2013 compared to the assessment of green cover in 2011. Among bigger states, Andhra Pradesh lost the maximum 273 sq km of forest cover whereas Madhya Pradesh lost 178 sq km of green patch in two years.
These facts emerged out of the latest `India State of Forest Report' (ISFR), which was released on Tuesday by environment and forests minister Prakash Javadekar.
Though India continues to be far behind its target of having 33% of its geographical area under forest, the marginal increase is a positive sign.
Javadekar said, “Decline of forest cover in our northeastern states is, however, a matter of concern. We should not allow this to happen.“
Assuring that his government would work hard to further increase the forest cover, he said, “We will make it a mass movement where people would come forward to not only protect the existing green cover but also plant more and more trees across the country .“
While there is an increase in total forest cover in the country, there is a decrease in the `growing stock' both inside and outside forest area.
This along with decline in forest cover in northeastern states is also a matter of concern.
The report said even in the `moderately dense' forest section, the net change in forest cover between 2011 and 2013 assessments shows a decline 0.62%.
Forest Survey of India (kFSI) has been assessing the forest and tree resources of the country on a biennial basis since 1987.
The results of the assessment are published in its ISFR. Although survey is primarily based on satellite data and its authenticity is widely debated, the FSI director general Anmol Kumar on Tuesday claimed, “The satellite interpretation is followed by extensive and rigorous ground truthing“.
For the full report, log on to http://www.timesofindia.com
The northeastern states, which account for one-fourth of the country's forest cover, recorded a net decline of 627 sq km in 2013 compared to the assessment of green cover in 2011. Among bigger states, Andhra Pradesh lost the maximum 273 sq km of forest cover whereas Madhya Pradesh lost 178 sq km of green patch in two years.
These facts emerged out of the latest `India State of Forest Report' (ISFR), which was released on Tuesday by environment and forests minister Prakash Javadekar.
Though India continues to be far behind its target of having 33% of its geographical area under forest, the marginal increase is a positive sign.
Javadekar said, “Decline of forest cover in our northeastern states is, however, a matter of concern. We should not allow this to happen.“
Assuring that his government would work hard to further increase the forest cover, he said, “We will make it a mass movement where people would come forward to not only protect the existing green cover but also plant more and more trees across the country .“
While there is an increase in total forest cover in the country, there is a decrease in the `growing stock' both inside and outside forest area.
This along with decline in forest cover in northeastern states is also a matter of concern.
The report said even in the `moderately dense' forest section, the net change in forest cover between 2011 and 2013 assessments shows a decline 0.62%.
Forest Survey of India (kFSI) has been assessing the forest and tree resources of the country on a biennial basis since 1987.
The results of the assessment are published in its ISFR. Although survey is primarily based on satellite data and its authenticity is widely debated, the FSI director general Anmol Kumar on Tuesday claimed, “The satellite interpretation is followed by extensive and rigorous ground truthing“.
For the full report, log on to http://www.timesofindia.com
