Indian State of Forest Report 2023 at a Glance

Update:- 26/10/2025

🌳 India State of Forest Report (ISFR 2023) – Short Notes

About ISFR 2023:

Forest Survey of India stated assessing Forest Cover of our country during 1987 for the first time. Since then Survey of Forest in the country is conducted every two year and the detailed report is published in the name of Indian State of Forest Report. Recently 18^th report titled Indian State of Forest Report 2023 is published by the Forest Survey of India.

As per the National Forest Policy of India 1988, Minimum 33 percent of the geographical area of our country needs to be covered under forest and tree cover to maintain ecological balance in the country.

📘 Basic Information

• Published by: Forest Survey of India (FSI), Dehradun
• Under: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC)
• Edition: 18th (Biennial assessment)
• Released: December 2024
• First Report: 1987 (published every two years)

🎯 Objectives

• To assess forest and tree cover across India.
• To monitor changes and trends every 2 years.
• To provide reliable data for forest management, planning, biodiversity, and climate goals.
• To estimate growing stock, bamboo area, mangrove cover, and carbon stock.

🛰️ Methodology

• Based on satellite imagery (remote sensing) and ground-truthing.
• Forest Cover: Land ≥ 1 ha with tree canopy ≥ 10% (irrespective of ownership).
• Tree Cover: Trees outside forests (roadsides, farms, settlements, etc.).
• Three canopy density classes:
  • Very Dense Forest: ≥ 70%
  • Moderately Dense: 40–70%
  • Open Forest: 10–40%

📊 Key Findings (ISFR 2023)

🗺️ State-wise Highlights

• Largest Forest + Tree Cover (area):
  1️⃣ Madhya Pradesh – 85,724 km²
  2️⃣ Arunachal Pradesh – 67,083 km²
  3️⃣ Maharashtra – 65,383 km²

• Highest % of Area under Forest Cover:
  1️⃣ Lakshadweep – 91.33%
  2️⃣ Mizoram – 85.34%
  3️⃣ Andaman & Nicobar Islands – 81.62%

• Highest Increase in Cover:
  1️⃣ Chhattisgarh (+683 km²)
  2️⃣ Uttar Pradesh (+559 km²)
  3️⃣ Odisha (+559 km²)
  4️⃣ Rajasthan (+394 km²)

🌱 Significance

• Helps track National Forest Policy goal – 33% area under forest/tree cover.
• Supports India’s NDC climate target of adding 2.5–3 billion t CO₂ sink by 2030.
• Provides data for biodiversity conservation, carbon management, and state-wise planning.
• Useful for exam topics in Agriculture, Forestry, Environment, and Geography.

⚠️ Some Concerns

• Net increase mainly from plantations and tree crops, not natural forests.
• Quality degradation in dense natural forests.
• Some states show localized declines in cover.
• Need focus on forest quality, biodiversity, and ecosystem health.

📌 Sort Notes

• India’s total forest + tree cover = 25.17% of its area.
• Net gain: +1,445 km² since 2021.
• Carbon stock rising, aiding climate commitments.
• Madhya Pradesh tops in area; Lakshadweep in % cover.
• Focus must shift from “quantity” → “quality” of forests.

Test your Knowledge – MCQs

Q1. The India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2023 is which edition of the biennial assessment by the Forest Survey of India?

• a) 16th
• b) 17th
• c) 18th
• d) 19th

 Q2. ISFR 2023 was released by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in which year?

• a) 2022
• b) 2024
• c) 2023
• d) 2025

Q3. As per ISFR 2023, the total forest and tree cover of India is what percentage of the country’s geographical area?

• a) 23.81%
• b) 24.62%
• c) 25.17%
• d) 26.30%

Q4. What is the total forest cover area reported in ISFR 2023?

• a) 7,10,500 km²
• b) 7,15,343 km²
• c) 7,25,000 km²
• d) 7,32,415 km²

Q5. Which state has the largest forest cover area in India as per ISFR 2023?

• a) Arunachal Pradesh
• b) Maharashtra
• c) Madhya Pradesh
• d) Odisha

Q.6 Indian State of Forest Report (ISFR) is published every two year by which of the following organisation?

• Forest Research Institute
• Forest Survey of India
• Indian Institute of Forest Management
• Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Climate Change
• Ministry of Tribal Affaires

Indian State of Forest Report 2023  Pdf