Relevance: GS-3: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment

Key phrases: ISFR 2021, Plantation, Tree outside forest, Assessment of forest, Definition of Forest,

Why in News ?

• Recently, India has reported an increase of 1,540 square kilometers (sq km) in its forest cover, as per the biennial India’s State of Forest Report 2021, published by the Forest Survey of India.
• It also shows that between 2019 and 2021, the forest and tree cover rose by 2,261 sq km.

Key Highlights

• Some researchers have raised questions about the definition of “forest”.
• They downplayed the role of plantations in maintaining ecological balance.
• The goal of 33 per cent area under forest and tree cover as per the National Forest Policy, 1988, remains to be achieved.
• In the present scenario, the possibility of a sizable increase in forest cover is limited due to the inelasticity of forest land.
• However, the balance of 9 per cent can be achieved through taking up plantation/afforestation outside the forests and restocking/plantation in degraded and scrub forests.
• Trees outside forest (TOF) is one major area which can be utilized to achieve the goal.

Definition of Forest

• India’s definition of forest cover is in sync with that of the Kyoto Protocol.
• A “forest” has a minimum area of 0.05 to 1 ha (India has 1.0 ha minimum), with the tree crown cover percentage being more than 10 to 30 per cent (India has 10 per cent) and with trees having the potential to reach a minimum height of 2 to 5 m at maturity in situ (in India, it’s 2 m).
• The definition thus arrived at by India assesses forests as “all lands, more than 1 hectare in area, with a tree canopy density of more than 10 per cent irrespective of ownership and legal status.
  • Such lands may not necessarily be a recorded forest area.
  • It also includes orchards, bamboo, palm etc.”

Assessment of Forest Cover

• The assessment of forest cover is done based on the interpretation of satellite data, which basically identifies umbrella-shaped canopies from the sky.
  • It compiles data computed through wall-to-wall mapping of India’s forest cover through remote sensing techniques.
• All species that fulfill the above definition of forest cover are included in the assessment.
• The accuracy of classification for forest and non-forest is 95.79 per cent and the accuracy of classification in different density classes is as high as 92.99 per cent.
• The forest cover is also estimated from field inventory data, which corroborates the figures of forest cover obtained from the satellite-based interpretation.
• The interpreted maps of the FSI are available to everyone. The environment ministry is even considering providing forest cover maps through the Web Map Service to make the analyses of researchers and agencies easier.
• The improved quality of data, better interpretation, extensive ground-truthing and geographical area corrections result in revised estimates of previous cycles.

Plantation

• Plantations, which mainly grow along the coast, serve as the first line of defense against cyclones, which are hitting with greater frequency and ferocity.
• Mixed plantations, especially of native species, meet all the ecological functions of natural forests.
• A lot of wildlife inhabits these plantations.
• This would contribute to India’s commitment to achieving an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent.

Afforestation Aligned with Wildlife Conservation Efforts

• Project Tiger was launched in 1973. From nine tiger reserves initially, India now has 51 tiger reserves.
• These are the cornerstones of wildlife conservation and preserve natural ecosystems which support ecological processes responsible for providing various goods and services that are vital for human well-being.
• Tiger habitat conservation will create a huge carbon sink in the form of tiger-bearing forests.
• Thus, the conservation of tigers will go a long way in ensuring a good future for us and the coming generations.
• Similar steps are being taken for the conservation of lions, elephants and other animals whose existence is threatened by poaching or the shrinking of natural habitat.

Tree Outside Forest (TOF)

• About
  • Termed as ‘Trees Outside Forests” (TOF), these are in the form of small woodlots and block plantations, trees along linear features, such as roads, canals bunds, etc. and scattered trees on farmlands, homesteads, community lands and urban areas.’
• ISFR 2021 Data
  • According to the ISFR 2021, the TOF extent comprises 36.18 per cent of the total forest and tree cover of the country.
  • Given this fact, the draft NFP 2021 has focused on the promotion of TOF by including it among its objectives.
• The provisions in draft NFP 2021 include substantially increasing the tree cover outside forests by
  • Incentivising and promoting agro-forestry and farm forestry
  • Managing and expanding green spaces in urban and peri-urban areas to enhance citizens’ well-being
  • Plantation of trees outside forests in partnership with local communities, land-owning agencies, and private enterprises
  • Creation, sustainable management and promotion of urban forests (woodlands, gardens, avenue plantations, herbal gardens, etc.) as an integral component of urban habitat planning and development
  • Afforestation/reforestation in public-private partnership (PPP) mode
  • Promotion of urban forests, which include woodlands, wetlands, parks, tree groves, tree garden, plantations in institutional areas, on avenues and around water bodies, etc.

Conclusion

• It is with this holistic approach that India is moving towards restoring the ecological balance of the planet and ensuring sustainable development.

Source: Indian Express

Mains Question

Q. The issue of shortage of land to increase forest cover could be overcome by increasing tree cover outside forests. Critically Examine.