New Delhi: Forest Survey of India (FSI), Dehradun, an organization under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, carries out the assessment of forest cover biennially since 1987 and the findings are published in India State of Forest Report (ISFR).
As per ISFR 2015, the total forest and tree cover was 7,94,245 square kilometre, constituting 24.16% of the geographical area of the country. Currently, as per ISFR 2023, the total forest and tree cover is 8,27,357 square kilometre, which is 25.17% of the geographical area of the country.
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change issues advisories to State Governments/UT Administrations to protect forests and trees as per the provisions of the law. Further, in order to protect forests, various measures are taken by the State Forest Departments, which include survey and demarcation of forest areas, fixing of pillars along forest boundary and regular patrolling by field staff.
In addition, the Ministry provides technical and financial support to the States /UTs for protection, conservation and management of forests in the country. For afforestation, the Government provides funds under various schemes and programmes such as National Mission for a Green India (GIM), Development of Wildlife Habitats (DWH) and Nagar Van Yojana (NVY). Afforestation is also carried out by the States/UTs under the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA).
Over the last five years, Rs. 624.69 Crore has been released under GIM; Rs. 452.04 Crore under Development of Wildlife Habitats; Rs. 308.87 Crore under Nagar Van Yojana and Rs 38,502.21 Crore under Annual Plan of Operations under CAMPA. These funds support the efforts of the States and UTs for ecological restoration through afforestation in and outside forest areas, forest landscape restoration, habitat improvement, soil and water conservation measures, and protection etc.
This information was provided by Union Minister Of State For Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Kirti Vardhan Singh in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha on 13 March.