‘Devoid of facts’: Centre tells NGT about Global Forest Watch report on declining green cover

The affidavit said that the country’s forest cover was reported in FSI’s biennial India State of Forest Report (ISFR) and is based on internationally accepted criteria. However, it added, GFW’s parameter for forest cover was not based on these internationally accepted criteria, and it might have a different methodology and definition for assessment.

“As per the ISFR 2021 compared to SFR 2001, there is a net increase of 58,891 sq km in forest cover and 14,277 sq km in tree cover in the country in the past two decades. Total increase in forest and tree cover of the country from SFR 2001 to ISFR 2021 is 74,168 sq km. Hence, as per the above report there is net gain in the forest and tree cover of the country,” the affidavit stated. ISFR 2021 is the latest data, with the current forest survey cycle, ISFR 2023, delayed so far.

While preparing the ISFR, all lands measuring more than one hectare with a tree canopy of more than 10%, irrespective of ownership and legal status, including orchards, bamboo and palm, are defined as forest cover, although tree patches of less than one hectare outside forest areas are also considered. Some experts have questioned this inclusion of tree-lined avenues, orchard plantations and even privately owned small areas in the forest cover.

According to the GFW data, the “tree cover” was derived from satellite data and it does not discern the land use, as per its methodology. It relies on a standardised definition of “forest” adopted by the Food and Agriculture Organisation, which takes into account biophysical criteria — tree height, canopy cover, extent of trees — and land use criteria.

The affidavit also challenged the GFW’s findings that an average of 51 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per year was released into the atmosphere as a result of the tree cover loss in India. It said that the question of such CO2 emissions does not arise as there was no decrease in forest and tree cover.

“… the Global Forest Watch is devoid of the facts and ground reality and internationally accepted norms,” the affidavit added.

According to the GFW data released in April 2024, India lost 2.33 million hectares or 6% of tree cover between 2001 and 2023 — 60% of it in five Northeastern states of Assam, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Manipur. It attributed around 18% of the total tree cover loss to the decline in humid primary forests by 4.14 lakh hectares.