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Tree cover refers to the land area occupied by trees, including natural forests and man-made plantations. It is typically measured as the total land area and is an essential indicator of environmental health, biodiversity, and ecosystem services. Tree cover provides numerous ecological benefits, such as carbon sequestration, soil stabilization, water cycle regulation, and habitat for wildlife. It also contributes to human well-being by offering shade, improving air quality, and supporting livelihoods through timber and non-timber forest products. Changes in tree cover, whether due to deforestation, afforestation, or urbanization, have significant implications for climate change, land use, and biodiversity conservation. Monitoring tree cover helps understand the extent of forest degradation, restoration efforts, and sustainable land management practices. Global initiatives like reforestation programs aim to increase tree cover to mitigate the adverse impacts of climate change and enhance ecosystem resilience.
Over the two-decade period, India’s overall tree cover has shown a gradual but steady increase, rising from 81,472 km2 in 2001 to 95,748 km2 in 2021, representing approximately a 17.5% growth. Maharashtra emerges as one of the most consistent performers, showing substantial improvement from 8,269 km2 in 2001 to 12,108 km2 in 2021, making it the state with the highest tree cover by 2021. A notable development is the creation of Telangana, which was carved out as a separate state and began reporting data from 2015 with 2,549 km2, growing to 2,848 km2 by 2021.
Some states have shown concerning declines. Andaman & Nicobar Islands experienced a dramatic decrease from 83 km2 in 2001 to just 23 km2 in 2021, possibly due to natural disasters, development, or land use patterns. Andhra Pradesh also saw a significant reduction, dropping from 9,011 km2 in 2001 to 4,679 km2 in 2021, though this decrease might be partially attributed to the state’s bifurcation with the creation of Telangana.
Despite their smaller size, the northeastern states have maintained stable or increasing tree cover. Arunachal Pradesh, for instance, more than doubled its tree cover from 478 km2 in 2001 to 1,001 km2 in 2021. States like Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Nagaland have also shown consistent growth, reflecting effective forest conservation policies in the region.
Among the larger states, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Gujarat have maintained substantial tree cover throughout the period, though Gujarat shows some fluctuation, with a peak of 10,586 km2 in 2003 before settling at 5,489 km2 in 2021. Jammu & Kashmir demonstrated significant growth until 2015 (reaching 8,354 km2) but showed a marked decrease to 4,465 km2 by 2021, possibly due to administrative changes and regional challenges.
Smaller union territories like Chandigarh, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, and Puducherry have maintained relatively stable, though modest, tree cover numbers, reflecting the challenges of maintaining green cover in urbanized areas. Lakshadweep shows minimal tree cover throughout the period, with numbers declining to nearly zero by 2021, highlighting the unique challenges island territories face in maintaining tree cover.
Tree cover refers to the land area occupied by trees, including natural forests and man-made plantations. It is typically measured as the total land area and is an essential indicator of environmental health, biodiversity, and ecosystem services. Tree cover provides numerous ecological benefits, such as carbon sequestration, soil stabilization, water cycle regulation, and habitat for wildlife. It also contributes to human well-being by offering shade, improving air quality, and supporting livelihoods through timber and non-timber forest products. Changes in tree cover, whether due to deforestation, afforestation, or urbanization, have significant implications for climate change, land use, and biodiversity conservation. Monitoring tree cover helps understand the extent of forest degradation, restoration efforts, and sustainable land management practices. Global initiatives like reforestation programs aim to increase tree cover to mitigate the adverse impacts of climate change and enhance ecosystem resilience.
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