Very Dense Forest Cover Increases For First Time In India

04 December, New Delhi

In a reversal of trend, India’s forest conservation efforts received a boost as for the first time, there is an increase of 2404 sq km in the category Very Dense Forest home to some of the rare bird and animal species, that remain hidden from the eye of the world.

A visibly pleased Minister for Environment, Forests and Climate Change Prakash Javadekar said it was “a very good news” for India and India’s position as a champion of environment conservation at Cop21(Conference of Parties) on climate change at Paris.

“I am pleased to inform that with the increase of forests cover by 3775 sq km. total forest cover has now increased to 21.4 per cent. We will continue our efforts till it reaches 33 per cent target,” Mr Javadekar said, releasing the India State of Forests Report 2015 here Friday.

As per report, Moderately Dense Forest cover has declined by 9.59 per cent with loss of 3371 sq km forest cover. Open forests have registered an increase of 9.14 per cent with addition of 4744 sq km forest cover.Crucial to coastal and river basin ecology the mangrove forests have shown a marked increase of 112 km in the country.

Additionally, there is 1306 sq km increase in tree cover in the country, accounting for a 2.78 per cent increase in the green cover.

As per the forest survey parameters, tree canopy as viewed from satellite is the criteria for deciding category. Over 70 per canopy is very dense forest, between 40 to 70 per cent is moderately dense forests and 10 to 40 per cent canopy size makes for open forests. Less than 10 per cent is scrub