Previous Year Question

According to India's National Forest Policy, maintaining Environmental Balance requires a national target of at least one-third, or approximately 33% of the country's total land area, under Forest or Tree Cover. This target aims to maintain the stability of Natural Ecosystems, Biodiversity Conservation, soil and water conservation, and atmospheric balance. Forests contribute to Carbon Storage by absorbing Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) and provide natural habitats for numerous plant and animal species.

The Government of India emphasized the need to maintain forests over one-third of the country's land area in the National Forest Policy, 1952. Subsequently, the National Forest Policy, 1988 established environmental stability and ecological balance as primary objectives of forest management. According to Section 4.1 of this policy, a minimum of one-third of the country's total land area should be maintained under forest or tree cover. Additionally, a target of approximately two-thirds, or 66.7%, of the area in hilly and mountainous regions was established to reduce Soil Erosion, Land Degradation, and ecological instability.

The ecological importance of forests is associated with several natural processes. Trees absorb atmospheric Carbon Dioxide through Photosynthesis and store carbon in their Biomass and surrounding soils. Forests facilitate the absorption and Infiltration of rainwater into the ground and can reduce Surface Runoff and Soil Erosion. Additionally, they influence the Water Cycle and local climate through Evapotranspiration. Natural forests also play important roles in Pollination, Nutrient Cycling, and the conservation of habitats for various species.

In India, forest and tree cover are assessed through the India State of Forest Report (ISFR) published by the Forest Survey of India (FSI). Forest Cover and Tree Cover are separate statistical categories that are combined to assess the country's total green cover. The 33% objective of the National Forest Policy is a National Policy Target, rather than a scientifically mandatory uniform threshold for every ecosystem. The conservation of desert, grassland, and wetland ecosystems is also essential.