Context:
Recent report of Global Forest Watch monitoring project says that India has lost 2.33 million hectares (6%) of tree cover since 2000.
Key Findings:
- India lost 4.1% of humid primary forest from 2002 to 2023, making up 18% of its total tree cover loss in the same period.
- The data showed that 95% of the tree cover loss in India from 2013 to 2023 occurred within natural forests.
- The maximum tree cover loss occurred in 2017.
- 5 states accounted for 60% of all tree cover loss between 2001 and 2023 – Assam, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Manipur.
- According to FAO, the rate of deforestation in India was 668,000 hectares per year between 2015 and 2020, the 2nd highest worldwide
- The data showed India lost 35,900 hectares of tree cover due to forest fires.
Global Forest Watch (GFW):
- An online platform that provides data and tools for monitoring forests.
- Established by – World Resources Institute (WRI)
- Launched in – 1997.
World Resources Institute:
- Global research organization that spans more than 50 countries
- It focuses on 6 critical issues at the intersection of environment and development: climate, energy, food, forests, water, and cities and transport.
- Established in – 1982
- Headquarters – Washington, US
Source: The Indian Express
Previous Year Question
In India, in which one of the following types of forests is teak a dominant tree species?
[UPSC Civil Service Exam – 2015 Prelims]
(a) Tropical moist deciduous forest
(b) Tropical rainforest
(c) Tropical thorn scrub forest
(d) Temperate forest with grasslands
Answer: (a)
