India: India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2013 was recently released by the Forest Survey of India (FSI). Being 13th in the series, the latest biennial report is based on the interpretation of LISS III sensor data of indigenous Resources at-II satellite with spatial resolution of 23.5 meter with minimum mapable area of one ha for the period between October, 2010 to January, 2012. It notes a 0.29% increase (about 2,000 sq km) in nation's forest cover over 2010-2012.
Besides capturing information on forest cover, mangroves cover, tree cover and related topics, the report records an increase of 278 million tonnes in nation's carbon stock as compared to the year 2004 reported in 2011 ISFR report.
Though Madhya Pradesh has largest forest cover (77522 square kilometre) followed by Arunachal Pradesh (67321 square kilometre) but in terms of percentage of forest to geographical area Mizoram is ahead of all states with 90.38 percent and Lakshadweep is second with 84.56 percent.
The report also notes that West Bengal, Orissa and Kerala are three states with maximum increase in forest cover.
Source: Forest Survey of India
