Question raised in Lok Sabha on conservation of forest, 13/03/2020
Forest Survey of India, Dehradun, an organization under the Ministry carries out the assessment of forest and tree cover (FTC) of the country biennially and the findings are published in India State of Forest Report (ISFR). The total FTC of the country, as per the ISFR 2019 is 8,07,276 km2 which is 24.56% of the total geographical area of the country. This is an increase of 5,188 km2 (forest cover 3,976 km2 and tree cover 1,212 km2) as compared to that of FTC in ISFR-2017 and 13,209 km2 (forest cover 10,754 km2, tree cover 2,455 km2) as compared to FTC in ISFR, 2015. For development and conservation of the forest cover in the country, Ministry has been taking several initiatives. These include ongoing Centrally Sponsored Schemes of the Ministry such as National Afforestation Programme, National Mission for a Green India and Development of Wildlife Habitats. Compensatory Afforestation Fund Rules, 2018 also contain provisions for taking up assisted natural regeneration, artificial regeneration and silvicultural operations in forests which contribute to increase in forest cover.