MoSPI Report 2025: India’s Forest Cover Up by 17,444 sq. km

Current Context: On 25 Sept 2025, the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) released the report “Environmental Accounting on Forest – 2025” at the 29th CoCSSO in Chandigarh.

• The report, based on the UN System of Environmental‑Economic Accounting (SEEA), is India’s first dedicated national publication on forest accounting.
• It shows India’s forest cover increased by 17,444.61 sq. km between 2010–11 and 2021–22, reaching 7.15 lakh sq. km (21.76% of area).
• Very Dense Forests grew by 22.7%, while Moderately Dense Forests declined, and Open Forests expanded.
• Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu recorded the highest gains in forest cover.
• The report also includes forest service accounts like carbon stock, biomass, timber value, and cultural services, linking forests to climate action and SDGs.

Question:

Q.1 As per Environmental Accounting on Forest – 2025, what is India’s current forest cover as a percentage of its geographical area?
a) 21.76%
b) 20.31%
c) 19.85%
d) 22.12%

Answer: a) The report states India’s forest cover stands at 7.15 lakh sq. km, equivalent to 21.76% of the geographical area.