India Gains Forest Cover but Loses Dense Forests: Report

Quality and Functionality of Forests Appear to Be Under Threat

December 23, 2024

One of the most concerning revelations in the recently released India State of Forest Report (ISFR) is the complete loss of 3,656 square kilometres of dense forests between 2021 and 2023. While it shows a net gain in overall forest and tree cover, this substantial loss of dense forests is deeply concerning for several reasons.

To begin with, let us clarify some of the key terms used in the report.

The ISFR 2023, released on Dec. 21, makes a clear distinction between forest cover – refers to areas with a minimum of one hectare covered by trees – and tree cover, which includes smaller patches of trees that are less than one hectare.

Further, forests are categorised based on their density. “Very dense forests” are rich in biodiversity, with a high canopy cover and a complex structure supporting various species, and “moderately dense and open forests” have less canopy cover and lower biodiversity compared to very dense forests.

Furthermore, afforestation efforts involve planting trees in areas that were previously non-forested, such as agricultural lands, degraded lands or urban peripheries. These plantations are typically monocultures or involve fewer native species, resulting in less dense and less biodiverse forests compared to natural, dense forests. As a result, while the total forest cover increases due to these new plantations, the quality and ecological value of the forest cover might be lower.

Now, let’s examine some of the critical statistics presented in the report and their implications.

The significant reduction of dense forests occurred despite a reported net gain of 156 square kilometres in overall forest cover and an impressive increase of 1,289 square kilometres in tree cover since 2021. India’s tree cover now spans 112,014 square kilometres, accounting for 3.41% of the land area, and complements the existing 21.76% forest cover, according to the biennial ISFR published by the Forest Survey of India.

This means while some areas are experiencing deforestation or degradation—particularly in dense forests—other regions are seeing the establishment of new forests or tree plantations that may not match the density and biodiversity of the lost forests.

This indicates that the quality and functionality of these forests could be under threat.

For example, in the Western Ghats, a crucial biodiversity hotspot and UNESCO World Heritage Site, the forest cover has decreased by 58.22 square kilometres over the last decade, as noted by Down to Earth. More notably, within this region, there has been an increase of 3,465.12 square kilometres in very dense forests, which somewhat offsets the reductions in moderately dense and open forests by 1,043.23 square kilometres and 2,480.11 square kilometres, respectively.

Despite these increases, specific areas within the Western Ghats, such as the Nilgiris in Tamil Nadu and Pune in Maharashtra, have experienced severe declines of 123.44 square kilometres and 664.90 square kilometres respectively since 2013.

According to Down to Earth, forest loss in the altitude zones of 1,000–2,000 metres between 2013 and 2023 has been recorded at 937.86 square kilometres, while in the zone above 4,000 metres, the loss amounts to 416.31 square kilometres. The loss of dense forests in hill districts and high-altitude zones – including in the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram and Nagaland – makes those regions more vulnerable to climate change impacts, such as altered rainfall patterns and increased landslide risks.

Dense forests are critical for maintaining high levels of biodiversity, acting as carbon sinks and providing essential ecosystem services such as water regulation and soil stabilisation. They are home to a myriad of endemic and endangered species that rely on the complex structure and diverse habitats that dense forests provide.

The eradication of such a significant area of dense forests not only diminishes biodiversity but also undermines the resilience of these ecosystems against climate change and other environmental stressors.