Insights from the India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2021 help to assess and manage forest land in India

Assessing and recording the forest cover in India is mostly dependent on the important body known as the Forest Survey of India (FSI), under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. With the most recent India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2021, India’s recorded forest area (RFA) is astonishingly 7,75,288 square kilometers. This thorough study highlights the national distribution and administration of forest lands by state and union territory, therefore offering a complete description of these areas.

According to the research, different states and union territories have somewhat different rates of forest cover. For example, whilst the Union Territory of Lakshadweep has no known forest area, Madhya Pradesh claims the highest RFA with 94,689 square kilometers. With its large territory, Maharashtra boasts a significant 61,952 square kilometer forest cover.

Generally speaking, forest land management falls under state jurisdiction in India. State governments or union territory administrations decide and uphold the limits and categories of forest areas. This distributed model guarantees that local government agencies control forest areas in line with regional demands and conditions. But any use of forest land for non-forestry uses calls for Central Government clearance under the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980.

Several laws control protection and management of forest areas: the Indian Forest Act, 1927; the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. These laws enable state governments to guarantee adherence to environmental conservation ideas and handle illegal or unauthorized control of forest areas.

Additionally classifying forest lands into Reserved Forests, Protected Forests, and Unclassed Forests, the ISFR 2021 Protected Forests are subject to rules preserving their ecological balance; reserved forests are those set aside for particular protection because of their ecological value. Unclassed forests are those that fall outside the first two categories yet nonetheless help to maintain the total forest cover.

The information in the ISFR emphasizes the varied and rich forest scene of India and the necessity of good management techniques to preserve these important ecosystems. The function of state governments and central authorities in balancing ecological preservation with development becomes even more important as forest areas continue to be under strain from different developmental projects.

Delivered at a Lok Sabha session, Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh, the Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, highlights the continuous dedication to tracking and managing India’s forest resources for next generations.