Bhubaneswar (Kalinga Voice) : The Forest Survey of India, Dehradun an autonomous organization of the MOEF&CC, Government of India released the “Indian State of Forest Report (ISFR), 2021” today at New Delhi. The ISFR 2021 Report was released by Hon’ble Union Minister, MoEF&CC, Shri Bhupender Yadav at New Delhi.
The biennial survey of the State of Forest in different States & Union Territories in the country shows that Odisha added 537.44 SqKms forest cover between 2019-2020. Odisha’s growth of forest cover is 3rd in the country. Similarly Odisha stands first in the increase in the Mangrove Cover during last two years. Further the Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR) is rated among top 3 Tiger Reserves in terms of forest cover in the country.
The followings are the major highlights of ISFR- 2021
- The forest cover of Odisha is estimated at 52,155.95 SqKms comprising of 33.50% of the total Geographical Area of the State. The State has achieved the national mandate of 1/3rd area under forest and tree cover.
- The increase in the forest cover of 537.44 Sq.Kms between 2019-2020 is almost double than that of the increase in the forest cover of 237 Sq.Kms between 2017-2018.
- Out of 30 districts, 23 districts have shown an increase in forest cover, while in 7 districts the forest cover has decreased.
- Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, Koraput, Sambalpur, Sonepur, Khordha and Cuttack district have added more forest cover during last 2 years.
- Similarly Malkangiri, Dhenkanal, Sundargarh, Rayagada and Keonjhar districts has decreased in forest cover.
- About 243 Sq.Kms of Medium Dense Forest (MDF) have become Very Dense Forest (VDF) during last 2 years. At the same time about 317 SqKm of MDF has become Open Forests in Odisha.
- The survey also shows 1134 SqKms of Non Forest Land now has perceptible amount of forest cover in the State.
- About 43.87% of forest in Odisha are prone to Forest Fire. This consist of 9.84% of forests which are extremely and very highly prone to forest fire while 33.98% forests are moderate to highly forest fire prone.
- The growing stock of forest in the State has decreased by 22.26 million cubic meter during last 2 years.
- The increase in Tree Cover during last 2 years is 356 SqKms vis-à-vis 656 SqKms in the ISFR 2019 Report.
- The total Carbon Stock of forest in Odisha is 1.63 billion tones CO2 equivalent which is 6.17% of the total forest carbon stock of the country.
The consistent increase in forest cover in the State of Odisha is attributed to the Joint Forest Management (JFM) initiatives by the State Government along with green scheme such as Increasing Green Cover, Green Mahanadi Mission along with convergence of funds from Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), District Mineral Fund (DMF) and Odisha Mining Bearing Area Development Corporation (OMBADC) and others.
