Context:
According to a report by the World Resources Institute’s (WRI) Global Forest Watch, there was a significant loss of tropical primary forests in 2022, totalling 4.1 million hectares.
Report Highlights:
- Loss is equivalent to losing an area of 11 football fields per minute.
- Highlights the importance of tropical primary forests, which account for more than 96% of deforestation.
- World is not on track to meet forest-related commitments such as –
- End and reverse deforestation by 2030 [COP26 Glasgow 2021]
- Restoring 350 million hectares (Mha) of lost and degraded forests by 2030 [Bonn Challenge]
- Total global tree cover loss in 2022 declined by 10% is a result of fire-related forest losses.
- India experienced 17% of the country’s total tree cover loss.
- Recommendations –
- Global deforestation must be reduced by at least 10% annually.
- Tree cover must increase by 22 Mha per year between 2021 and 2030.
World Resources Institute (WRI) is a renowned global research organization that provides valuable insights and data-driven solutions to promote sustainable development, protect natural resources, and address challenges related to climate change and biodiversity conservation.
Characteristics – Primary Forests:
- Characterized by minimal or absent signs of past human use
- Have dense coverage of native tree species
- Have undisturbed ecological processes
- Store more carbon and support greater biodiversity
According to FAO’s State of the World’s Forests 2020, primary forests account for approximately one-third (34%) of the world’s forested land.
Definitions by Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change:
- Forest cover: “All lands, more than one hectare in area with a tree canopy density of more than 10%”
- Tree cover: “Tree patches outside recorded forest areas exclusive of forest cover and less than the minimum mappable area of one hectare”
Status of Forests in India:
- As per India State of Forest Report 2021 –
- Total forest and tree cover in India is 24.62% of the geographical area of the country.States with large forest cover:Madhya Pradesh> Arunachal Pradesh > Chhattisgarh > Odisha > Maharashtra
- Top 5 States in terms of forest cover as percentage of total geographical area: Mizoram > Arunachal Pradesh > Meghalaya > Manipur > Nagaland
Previous year question
At the national level, which ministry is the nodal agency to ensure effective implementation of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2021 Prelims]
(a) Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
(b) Ministry of Panchayati Raj
(c) Ministry of Rural Development
(d)Ministry of Tribal Affairs
Practice question
