- This is equivalent to a 6% decrease in tree cover during 2001-2023.
- Tree cover is an estimated area comprising of tree patches, which are less than 1 hectare and isolated trees outside the recorded forest.
- Whereas, Forest cover is defined as an area more than 1 hectare in extent and having tree canopy density of 10% and above.
- Other Key Findings
- Five states, Assam followed by Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Manipur, accounted for 60% of all tree cover loss between 2001- 2023.
- Between 2001-22, Net Carbon Sink of 89.9 million tons has been observed.
- Lakshadweep has largest relative plantation area at 76%.
- Drivers of Tree cover loss
- Deforestation caused 3.3% of tree cover loss occurred from 2001 to 2022.
- Climate Change fuels extreme heat thereby increase in wildfires and loss of tree cover.
- As per GFW, Tree cover loss due to fires has been highest in Odisha followed by Arunachal Pradesh (2001-22).
- India’s initiatives to improve Tree cover
- Green India Mission to increase Forest/Tree Cover to the extent of 5 mha and improve quality of forest/tree cover on another 5 mha of forest/non-forest lands.
- Nagar Van Yojana to enhance green cover in urban and peri-urban areas.
Global Forest Watch
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