There is an increase in forest cover area of India between 2011 and 20

There is an increase in forest cover area of India between 2011 and 2021. However, there is a decrease in forest cover area of India during the same period in

very dense forest (canopy density of more than 70 percent)
moderately dense forest (canopy density between 40-70 percent)
open forest (canopy density between 10-20 percent)
Both (b) and (c)
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CDS-1 – 2023
According to the India State of Forest Reports (ISFRs), while the total forest cover of India increased between 2011 and 2021, there were variations within the different canopy density classes during this period. Comparing the ISFR 2011 data with ISFR 2021 data shows the following trends in area:
– Very Dense Forest (VDF): Increased (from 83,471 sq km in 2011 to 99,779 sq km in 2021).
– Moderately Dense Forest (MDF): Decreased (from 320,736 sq km in 2011 to 306,890 sq km in 2021).
– Open Forest (OF): Increased (from 278,318 sq km in 2011 to 307,120 sq km in 2021).
Therefore, there was a decrease in the forest cover area of India during this period specifically in the Moderately Dense Forest category.
– Total forest cover in India increased between 2011 and 2021.
– The decrease was observed specifically in the Moderately Dense Forest category.
– Very Dense Forest and Open Forest categories saw an increase in area during the same period.
The India State of Forest Report (ISFR) is published biennially by the Forest Survey of India (FSI). It is the primary source of information on forest cover, tree cover, mangroves, growing stock, forest carbon, and forest fire monitoring in India. The methodology for forest cover assessment involves satellite data interpretation and ground truthing.