INDIAN STATE FOREST REPORT (ISFR)

The Forest Survey of India (FSI) has played a crucial role in enhancing forest monitoring through initiatives such as improved forest cover mapping, the establishment of an upgraded Forest Fire Alert System, and the successful completion of the National Forest Inventory's first five-year cycle, which has yielded vital data on forest growth and carbon stocks. Additionally, digitizing forest boundaries in 25 States and Union Territories has significantly enhanced the accuracy of forest cover assessments. These advancements, along with efforts by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to expand forest and tree cover and conserve mangroves and wetlands, have greatly bolstered forest development.

Key schemes supporting these initiatives include:

• National Mission for a Green India (GIM): Launched in 2014, this mission focuses on protecting, restoring, and expanding forest cover through Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMCs). Rs. 944.48 crore has been allocated to 17 States and one Union Territory for plantation and eco-restoration projects.
• Nagar Van Yojana (NVY): Introduced in 2020, this program promotes green spaces in urban and peri-urban areas, with 546 projects approved across 31 States/UTs and a budget allocation of Rs. 431.77 crore.
• School Nursery Yojana (SNY): This initiative raises awareness about tree planting in schools. With Rs. 4.80 crore allocated, 743 projects have been sanctioned in 19 States/UTs.
• Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes (MISHTI): Running from 2023 to 2028, this program aims to restore mangroves along India’s coastline, with Rs. 17.96 crore allocated to states like Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Kerala, Odisha, West Bengal, and Puducherry.
• National Coastal Mission: This program includes funding under the "Conservation and Management of Mangroves and Coral Reefs" component to safeguard coastal ecosystems in 9 coastal states and one Union Territory.
• National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems (NPCA): A collaborative initiative between the Central and State Governments for wetland conservation and management.
• Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam: Launched by the Prime Minister in June 2024, this campaign encourages tree planting in honor of mothers, fostering a cultural connection to nature.
• Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA): This scheme mitigates forest cover loss caused by land diversion for non-forestry purposes under the Forest Conservation Act, 1980.
• Afforestation Targets under the Twenty-Point Programme: Annual afforestation targets are set using resources from Central and State Government schemes, NGOs, private organizations, and civil society.
• Awareness Campaigns and Plantation Drives: Events like Van Mahotsav, World Environment Day, and International Day of Forests encourage mass participation in tree planting and environmental awareness.
• Indian Forest Management Standard: Part of the National Working Plan Code – 2023, this standard provides a framework for monitoring sustainable forest management and supports the Indian Forest and Wood Certification Scheme for small-scale timber producers.
• National Action Plan on Forest Fire-2018: Offers preventive measures, resilience building, and community capacity enhancement for managing forest fires.
• Joint Forest Management and Eco Development Committees: In line with the 1988 National Forest Policy, these committees engage communities in forest and wildlife conservation, ensuring local involvement in sustainable management practices