Forest cover data updated by the government

Current Context: The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change recently updated the forest cover data and implemented amendments to the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980.

• Forest Cover Data Update:
• The Forest Survey of India (FSI) updated its base year to 2022-23 from the previous 2011-12.
• India's total forest cover now stands at 7,13,789 square kilometers, which is 21.71% of the nation's geographical area.
• The latest assessment shows an increase of 7,449 square kilometers in forest and tree cover since the last assessment in 2017.
• There has been no loss in forest cover or tree cover, addressing concerns about increased carbon emissions due to deforestation.

Question:

1 What is the total forest cover of India as per the updated data from the Forest Survey of India (FSI) in 2022-23?

• A) 7,13,789 square kilometers
• B) 7,21,238 square kilometers
• C) 7,05,341 square kilometers
• D) 7,13,210 square kilometers

Answer: A) According to the Forest Survey of India (FSI), the updated forest cover of India is 7,13,789 sq. km, which constitutes 21.71% of the total geographical area of the country.