India State of Forest Report 2021

Every two years, the Forest Survey of India (FSI) of the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change publishes an assessment of India’s forest and tree cover. First released in 1987, ISFR 2021 is the 17th survey. The ISFR is used to plan and formulate policies in the forest management, forestry, and agroforestry sectors using data computed from the wall-to-wall mapping of India’s forest cover using remote sensing techniques. Data about India’s forest cover, tree cover, carbon stock, and other factors can be found in the State of Forests Report (ISFR) 2021. Various global-level inventories and reports rely on this data, such as the GHG Inventory and international reporting to the UNFCCC. For the first time, the Forest Survey of India FSI has examined the forest cover in tiger reserves, tiger corridors, and the Gir forest, home to the Asiatic lion, in the current ISFR 2021.

Forest Survey of India conducts surveys and assessments-

At 80.9 million hectares, the country has 24.62% of its land area covered by forests and trees. National Forest Policy, 1988 said that India’s goal is to have 33 percent of its land area covered by forest. The NITI Aayog’s Strategy for New India @ 75, announced in December 2018, included this as a key objective. The country’s forest and tree cover has increased by 0.28% during the past year compared to the 2019 conducted survey and assessment.

For this study, we defined three distinct types of forests: virgin, moderately thick, and open forests. Scrubs have also been surveyed. However, they don’t fit into the forest category. Increases in forest cover have been seen in both open and very dense forests, although declines have been reported in moderately dense forests (natural forests). Better conservation efforts, afforestation, tree planting, and agroforestry may be blamed for increased forest cover. Three states in the North East have lost more forest cover than any other. Many natural disasters, such as landslides and strong floods, and human activities, such as agricultural shifting, development pressure, and tree cutting, are blamed. On the other hand, the Northeastern states have a system based on community ownership and protected tribal land, unlike other states where the forest department and state governments maintain woods. As a result, conservation efforts are made more difficult.

According to the most recent survey conducted and assessment published in 2019, the northeastern states have been steadily losing forest cover.

Pre Investment Survey of Forest Resources (PISFR)

India’s leading national institution, the Forest Survey of India (FSI), is charged with regularly assessing and monitoring the country’s forest resources. Additionally, it provides training, research, and extension services. Established in 1981, the “Forest Survey of India” (FISIN) replaced the “Pre-investment Survey of Forest Resources” (PISFR), an Indian government-sponsored project started in 1965 with support from FAO and UNDP.

Before PISFR, determining the availability of raw materials for wood-based industries in designated regions of the country was the primary focus. NCA recommended a National Forest Survey Organization (NFSO) in its 1976 report, which led to the Forest Resources Inventory (FSI) development in the following year. FSI’s mandate was updated in 1986 by the Indian government following an evaluation of its activities to better meet the country’s evolving needs and ambitions.

Objectives of the Forest Survey of India

• Preparation of the Biennial Forest Status Report (once every two years). Forest cover in India has been analysed and how it has changed through time.
• Developing a database of forest tree resources by conducting inventory in forest and non-forest areas.
• Collect, compile, store and disseminate spatial databases on forest resources as a central agency.
• Training forestry employees on GIS, remote sensing, and other related technologies.
• Aerial photography is being used to create 150000 scale thematic maps.
• R&D in the Forest Service Institute is being bolstered, and applicable forest survey techniques are being researched.
• Forestry-related research, consulting and specialised training programmes.
• Assisting state and UT forest departments with the survey, mapping, and inventory.
• Data on growing stock, regeneration condition, frequency of grazing and fire occurrence for specific forest and non-forest areas is collected and reported in inventory and wood consumption studies. State forestry departments usually make use of such reports.

Conclusion 

It is up to the Forest Survey of India (FSI) to conduct the bulk of its forest cover surveys.The environmental and ecology sections heavily rely on FSI reports. The Forest Survey of India’s mission, objectives, and operations are all covered on this page. India’s forest resources are routinely assessed and monitored by the Forest Survey of India (FSI), an independent, national nonprofit organisation. The Environment and Forestry Ministry is responsible for it. Its main office is located in Uttarakhand’s Dehradun.1981 marked the beginning of its existence. An Indian national survey organisation, FSI, is one of the country’s most respected. Project PISFR, established in 1965 with assistance from UNDP and FAO, served as the forerunner to the new group’s current name: “Pre-investment Survey Of Forest Resources.”