India's forest cover decreases

The Forest Survey of India (FSI) report that was published on Tuesday stated that the forest cover of India has decreased by 367 square km in comparison to the assessment made in 2009.

Environment Ministry Secretary T.Chatterjee released the India State of Forest Report 2011 here.

As per the present assessment, the forest and tree cover of the country is 78.29 million ha, which is 23.81 percent of the geographical area of the country.

In comparison to the 2009 assessment, there has been a decrease of 367 square km in country´s forest cover.

Fifteen states have registered aggregate increase of 5000sqkm in their forest cover with Punjab leading with increase of 100sqkm.

Twelve states have shown decrease to the extent of 867sqkm.

Decline of 281 sqkm in forest cover of Andhra Pradesh is mainly attributed to harvesting of mature plantation of eucalyptus & other species.

The report stated that Madhya Pradesh has the largest forest cover in the country at 77,700 square km followed by Aruncachal Pradesh at 67, 410 square km.

In terms of percentage of forest cover in relation to total geographical area, Mizoram tops with 90.68 percent followed by Lakshadweed with 84.56 percent.

The India State of Forest Report 2011 contains the regular features like forest cover, tree cover, mangroves and growing stock both in forests and areas outside forests.