Understanding India's Tree Cover Loss: Trends, Causes, and Impacts
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Tree Cover Loss | India lost 2.33 million hectares of tree cover between 2000 and 2023. |
| Humid Primary Forest Loss | 4,14,000 hectares of humid primary forest lost between 2000 and 2023, making up 18% of total tree cover loss. |
| Carbon Balance | Forests emitted 51 million tons of CO2 annually (2001-2022) and removed 141 million tons, resulting in a net carbon sink of 89.9 million tons/year. |
| Causes of Tree Cover Loss | 95% of tree cover loss (2013-2023) occurred in natural forests, driven by deforestation, logging, fire, disease, and natural disturbances like storms. |
| Regional Patterns | Five states accounted for 60% of tree cover loss (2001-2023): Assam (324,000 hectares), Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, and Manipur. |
| Fire Incidents | 35,900 hectares of tree cover lost to fires between 2002 and 2022; Odisha had the highest average loss/year at 238 hectares. |
| Measurement Challenges | Tree cover loss is monitored via satellite imagery, but it doesn't always equate to deforestation, and land use considerations complicate forest extent tracking. |