The correct answer is (a) 18.32%.
According to the ‘India, State of Forests Report 2017’ released on February, 2018, the percentage of total geographical area of the country under forests is 18.32%. This is an increase of 0.22% from the previous report released in 2015. The report also states that the total forest cover in India is 7,01,673 square kilometers.
The following are the options for the question:
(a) 18.32%
(b) 19.54%
(c) 21.54%
(d) 23.54%
Option (a) is the correct answer because it is the percentage of total geographical area of the country under forests as stated in the ‘India, State of Forests Report 2017’. Option (b) is incorrect because it is the percentage of total geographical area of the country under forests as stated in the ‘India, State of Forests Report 2015’. Option (c) is incorrect because it is the percentage of total geographical area of the country under forests as stated in the ‘India, State of Forests Report 2013’. Option (d) is incorrect because it is the percentage of total geographical area of the country under forests as stated in the ‘India, State of Forests Report 2011’.