What is total forest cover of India as per ISFR report 2019?
21.67% of the total geographical area of the country
Understanding India's Forest Cover as per ISFR 2019
The India State of Forest Report (ISFR) is a biennial publication of the Forest Survey of India (FSI), which assesses the forest and tree resources of the country. The 2019 report provided key data points on the extent and condition of India's forest cover, tree cover, mangrove cover, and forest carbon stock.
The question asks for the total forest cover of India as reported in the ISFR 2019, expressed as a percentage of the country's total geographical area. Total forest cover includes all land areas with tree canopy density of 10% or more and minimum mapping unit area of 1 hectare, regardless of land ownership and legal status.
ISFR 2019 Findings on Total Forest Cover
According to the ISFR 2019 report:
- The total forest cover of India was estimated.
- This cover is calculated based on satellite data and ground truthing.
- The report distinguishes between different canopy density classes.
The specific percentage for total forest cover as per the ISFR 2019 report was 21.67% of the total geographical area of the country.
Breaking Down Forest and Tree Cover in ISFR 2019
The ISFR report also provides data on total tree cover, which includes tree patches outside recorded forest areas. The combined figure of forest cover and tree cover gives the total forest and tree cover of the country. For ISFR 2019:
- Total Forest Cover: 7,12,249 sq km
- Total Tree Cover: 95,027 sq km
- Total Forest and Tree Cover: 8,07,276 sq km
India's total geographical area is 32,87,469 sq km. The percentages are calculated based on these figures.
Percentage of total forest cover = \(\frac{\text{Total Forest Cover}}{\text{Total Geographical Area}} \times 100\)
Percentage of total tree cover = \(\frac{\text{Total Tree Cover}}{\text{Total Geographical Area}} \times 100\)
Percentage of total forest and tree cover = \(\frac{\text{Total Forest and Tree Cover}}{\text{Total Geographical Area}} \times 100\)
Calculating the percentage for total forest cover using the ISFR 2019 data:
\(\frac{7,12,249 \text{ sq km}}{32,87,469 \text{ sq km}} \times 100 \approx 21.67\%\)
This confirms that the total forest cover of India, as per the ISFR 2019 report, was 21.67% of the total geographical area.
Statement Analysis
Let's look at the provided options in light of the ISFR 2019 findings:
- 24.39% of the total geographical area: This percentage corresponds to the total forest and tree cover (Forest Cover + Tree Cover) in ISFR 2019 (approx 21.67% + 2.89% = 24.56%). This option is close to the total forest and tree cover, but the question specifically asks for "total forest cover".
- 21.67% of the total geographical area: This is the percentage for the total forest cover as calculated and reported in ISFR 2019.
- 24.16% of the total geographical area: This percentage was reported as the total forest and tree cover in the ISFR 2017 report.
- 21.05% of the total geographical area: This percentage was reported as the total forest cover in the ISFR 2017 report.
Based on the official ISFR 2019 data, the total forest cover is 21.67%.
| Report Year | Total Forest Cover (% of Geo Area) | Total Tree Cover (% of Geo Area) | Total Forest & Tree Cover (% of Geo Area) |
|---|---|---|---|
| ISFR 2017 | 21.54% (originally cited as 708,273 sq km out of 3,287,469 sq km) | 2.85% (originally cited as 93,815 sq km) | 24.16% (originally cited as 802,088 sq km) |
| ISFR 2019 | 21.67% (712,249 sq km) | 2.89% (95,027 sq km) | 24.56% (807,276 sq km) |
The question specifically asks for "total forest cover", which according to ISFR 2019 is 21.67%.
Revision Table: Key Forest Report Data
| Key Metric | ISFR 2019 Value |
|---|---|
| Total Forest Cover Area | 7,12,249 sq km |
| Total Forest Cover (% of Geo Area) | 21.67% |
| Total Tree Cover Area | 95,027 sq km |
| Total Tree Cover (% of Geo Area) | 2.89% |
| Total Forest and Tree Cover Area | 8,07,276 sq km |
| Total Forest and Tree Cover (% of Geo Area) | 24.56% |
Additional Information: About ISFR Reports
The India State of Forest Report is crucial for monitoring the country's forest resources. Here are some additional points:
- The report is based on satellite data interpreted by FSI scientists, followed by extensive ground verification.
- It provides data at the state and district levels, showing changes in forest cover over time.
- The ISFR also includes information on forest types, forest carbon stock, growing stock, bamboo resources, and extent of tree cover outside forests.
- Understanding the difference between 'forest cover' and 'tree cover' is important. Forest cover refers to areas meeting the definition within recorded forest areas or otherwise. Tree cover includes trees outside designated forests.
- The ISFR 2019 showed an increase in both forest cover and tree cover compared to the ISFR 2017 report, indicating positive trends in forest conservation efforts in certain areas.
Important Questions from Indian Flora & Fauna
Which Indian state has the largest area under forest cover?
Which of the following statements describes “endemic species”?
Concept of Chipko movement originally came from ________?
A. Rajasthan
B. Assam
C. Arunachal Pradesh
D. Mizoram
In which type of forests Tendu, Amaltas, Bael (Bengal Quince) are found in India?
Which of the following is NOT a 'grassland'?
