Question raised in Lok Sabha on Forest Cover, 08/03/2016
Question raised in Lok Sabha on Forest Cover, 08/03/2016. Forest Survey of India, Dehradun is carrying out the assessment of forest cover of the country biennially and the findings are published in India State of Forest Report. The latest report in the series is India State of Forest Report 2015. As per this report, the total forest cover of the country is 7,01,673 square kilometers which is 21.34% of the total geographical area of the country. There is a net increase of 3775 square kilometers in the forest cover of the country as compared with India State of Forest Report-2013. The detailed list showing forest cover and change in forest cover States/UTs wise is given in Annexure I. The reasons for decline in the forest cover State/UTs wise is given in Annexure II.The details of funds released and utilized under Intensification of Forest Management Scheme (IFMS) for the last three years are given in Annexure-III. The State-wise details of fund released under National Afforestation Programme during last three years and current year are given in Annexure IV. Funds sanctioned under the Green India Mission (including preparatory phase) Statewise are given in Annexure-V. In Financial Year 2012-2013 and 2014-15, no funds were released to State/UT.