India’s net forest cover sees paltry rise of 156.41 sq km; decrease in mangroves and Western Ghats cover https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-forest-tree-cover-govt-report-9737617/
WA : Kal What is the basis of such a claim?? The big highways, expansion of cities, many industrial projects, river linking have taken big toll on the forest.
AP: In my humble opinion, the figures are and have always been bogus. This is based on the facts that the forest figures are based on the India State of Forests Report prepared based on Forest Survey of India maps made from satellite imagery. Strangely, the FSI website itself has a disclaimer stating that their maps are not accurate!
Now, the forests recognized by Government for protection under
the law are not based on the FSI maps. For example, Goa Govt recognizes and protects only 1200 sq kms (33%) of its land as forests, while FSI shows over 2200 (60%) sq kms of forests in Goa.
Indian Govt has different figures for the world and for itself.
https://www.downtoearth.org.in/forests/western-ghats-lost-58-sq-km-of-forest-cover-since-2013-sofr-2023 Western Ghats lost 58 sq km of forest cover since 2013: SOFR 2023..“Very Dense Forest increased by 3,465.12 sq km, whereas Moderately Dense Forest and Open Forest decreased by 1,043.23 sq km and 2,480.11 sq km,”