India Makes Tiny Gain In Forest Cover, Needs To Do More

The forest cover has thinned significantly, making way for factories. Lakshmi Soren, a local elder, points to the empty expanse where the forest once stood, saying, “We never thought the forest would disappear. Now, water sources are drying up and the air isn’t as fresh as it used to be. Our children fall sick more often.”

Her experience is not unique. According to the India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2023, the country has lost 1,500 sq km of forest cover in the last two years alone. The paradox is striking: As India continues to grow economically, one of the critical resources it depends on to sustain that growth — forests — are fading.

Multi-Faceated Impact

The loss of forests is not merely an environmental issue; it is deeply intertwined with economic, social and health concerns. Forests are not just habitats for wildlife — they regulate water cycles, moderate climate and clean the air. Yet, as India loses its forests, the ripple effects touch every corner of life.

The ISFR 2023 report reveals a troubling trend: While India’s total forest cover has increased by a marginal 0.28 per cent, the quality of these forests has declined. Dense forests, which are crucial for regulating water and storing carbon, have diminished by over 1,200 sq km.

But beyond the statistics, there’s a human cost. Studies show that areas with diminished green cover are experiencing a 5-10 per cent increase in average temperatures each year, directly exacerbating the urban heat island effect in cities like Delhi and Mumbai.

“Forests are the lungs of our planet,” says Sudhanshu Singh of the Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM). “Their loss means less carbon sequestration, less water retention and poorer air quality.” This, in turn, accelerates global warming, leaving communities — both rural and urban — struggling with the aftermath of poor environmental management.

Who Sets Standards For Forest Conservation?

India has a complex web of policies aimed at forest conservation, but the gaps in their implementation are too wide to ignore. The Forest Conservation Act (1980) and National Forest Policy (1988) were designed to protect forest ecosystems.

Yet, the ISFR 2023 report points out that India’s forest cover stands at only 21.71 per cent of the total land area, far from the 33 per cent target set by the government.

One key issue is that the current legal framework is scattered and poorly enforced. The lack of synergy between state and Central policies has led to inefficiencies, especially when it comes to urban expansion and industrial growth.

India could take a cue from Costa Rica, where ecotourism and carbon credits have been used to protect forests while benefiting local communities.

“India must integrate strong legal frameworks with community-driven conservation efforts,” says Leena Gupta of Tata Energy Research Institute (TERI). The lack of this dual approach is preventing effective forest management across the country.

Mapping The Greens

Forest loss is not occurring evenly across the country. Some regions are being hit much harder than others. Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh are losing dense forests rapidly, while coastal and northeastern states like Kerala and Mizoram are reporting slight increases in forest cover.

However, even in states where the green cover is relatively stable, the quality of forests has been on the decline, with a noticeable rise in the proportion of open forests.

The 2023 ISFR report breaks this down in detail, showing that urban centres — especially megacities — are seeing the steepest decline in tree cover. Urban areas like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru have had to cope with increasing temperatures and pollution, partially caused by deforestation.

“We need to understand that the quality of forest cover matters just as much as the quantity,” explains Rina Banerjee, an environmental law expert at the National Law School of India University (NLSIU). “A lot of the forests that are being counted are degraded or fragmented, and they do not offer the same environmental benefits as a dense, intact forest.”

What We Can Learn From Global Best Practices

Countries like Brazil and Finland have made significant strides in forest conservation by focusing on both legal frameworks and community involvement. Brazil’s Amazon Fund, for instance, uses international partnerships to finance forest protection efforts, while Finland employs advanced satellite technology to track forest health.

India could learn from these examples. Programmes like the Joint Forest Management (JFM) in Madhya Pradesh and community forest rights in Odisha are steps in the right direction, but these efforts need to be scaled nationwide.

In states like Jharkhand, where forests are a critical lifeline for tribal communities, these models could significantly improve conservation efforts if supported by stronger policy backing.

Another example comes from Bhutan, where the government has set a target of maintaining at least 60 per cent of the country’s total area under forest cover.

This commitment to sustainable forest management, along with policies that emphasise organic agriculture and eco-friendly tourism, has helped the nation balance economic development with environmental preservation.

The Road to 33%

To turn the tide, India must adopt three key reforms:

Stronger Legal and Institutional Frameworks: India’s forest protection laws, like the Forest Rights Act (2006), need better implementation at the grassroots level to empower local communities and ensure that forest conservation is not just top-down, but driven by those who depend on these ecosystems the most.

Financial Incentives for Conservation: The government must scale up its afforestation and reforestation programs, offering incentives to states and private players to invest in green projects. Maharashtra’s Joint Forest Management programme is a great example of how public-private collaboration can drive forest restoration.

Green Urban Development: Incorporating more green spaces into urban planning could reduce pollution, increase local biodiversity and improve the quality of life in cities. Cities like Bengaluru, which is focusing on urban forestry, offer valuable lessons that need to be replicated across India.

India’s target of 33 per cent forest cover may still seem distant, but with policy reform, community involvement, and international partnerships, it is achievable. The cost of inaction is far too high — both for the environment and for India’s future generations. Forests, after all, are not just a natural resource; they are the foundation of a sustainable and equitable future.

The scale and nature of these interventions — integrating legal reform, community involvement, financial investment and urban green development — have worked in diverse global contexts.

The real question is: Can India, with its varied geographical landscapes, growing population, and complex governance structures, translate these practices into scalable, actionable models? The answer lies in reimagining forest management not as a distant goal, but as an urgent necessity.