New Delhi
Several experts have raised concerns about the credibility of the government's latest "India State of Forests Report 2023", claiming that the data is inflated. The report states that India's total forest and tree cover increased by 1,445 sq km since 2021, reaching 25.17% of the country's geographical area. However, experts argue that the report includes bamboo plantations, coconut groves, and orchards, which do not contribute significantly to biodiversity and wildlife conservation.
They highlight that much of the tree cover increase is due to plantations of rubber, eucalyptus, and mango, and not natural forests. The report also notes a loss of 1,488 sq km of unclassed forests between 2021 and 2023, but fails to explain this in detail.
Experts further point out that the report doesn't establish a clear connection between forest area and forest cover, weakening its credibility. They also criticize the lack of compliance with Supreme Court orders for digitization and geo-referencing of forest maps. Concerns were also raised about the impact of diverted forest lands for infrastructure projects.
The report reveals a decline in forest cover in vulnerable regions such as the Western Ghats and northeastern India, raising alarms about ecological stability, particularly in hill districts, where forest cover is well below the required threshold.