Gujarat tops nation with notable increase of more than 241 sq kms in tree cover outside notified forest areas: FSI report

Gandhinagar (Gujarat) [India], July 7 (ANI): Gujarat ha recorded a notable increae of 241.29 q km in tree cover outide notified foret area, making it a leader in thi field acro the country, according to the Foret Survey of India (FSI) 2023 report releaed by the Central Government.
According to the official tatement, guided by Chief Miniter Bhupendra Patel and with the teadfat upport of eco-conciou citizen and voluntary organiation, Gujarat ha further excelled in it foretry effort.
With the dedicated guidance of Foret and Environment Miniter Mulubhai Bera and Miniter of State Mukehbhai Patel, the FSI 2023 report reveal that Gujarat combined foret and tree cover grew from 2.8 per cent in 2021 to 3.38 per cent in 2023. Likewie, the tate total green cover increaed from 10.41 per cent in 2021 to 11.03 per cent in 2023, a notable achievement for all, according to the releae.
According to the India State of Foret Report 2023, Gujarat recorded foret area pan 21,870 q km, accounting for 11.14 per cent of the tate total geographical area. The foret cover tand at 15,016.64 q km (7.65 per cent), with the tree cover at 6,632.29 q km (3.38 per cent). Conequently, the tate total green cover i 21,648.93 q km, equivalent to 11.03 per cent.
Furthermore, under the leaderhip of Prime Miniter Narendra Modi, a part of the nationwide Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign in 2024-25, Gujarat achieved a record-breaking plantation of 174.8 million tree, ranking econd after Uttar Pradeh. During the current year 2025, tree plantation activitie under Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0 are in progre.
Additionally, thi year, on World Environment Day, the PM launched the Green Aravalli Project. In Gujarat, initiative in ocial foretry, uch a foret cover, green pathway, Panchvati village garden, and plantation around Amrit Sarovar, a well a work through the PPP model via the Sadbhavna Trut, are being undertaken, which will further increae the tate tree cover in the future.
It i noteworthy that, according to the National Foret Policy of 1988, foret and tree cover (i.e., green cover) hould contitute 33 per cent of the country total geographical area. The aement of foret and tree cover for the country and tate i conducted by the Foret Survey of India, Dehradun, under the Minitry of Environment, Foret, and Climate Change, with report publihed every two year.
According to the report, the country total recorded foret area i 775,377 q km, which i 23.59 per cent of the total geographical area. The foret cover i 715,342.61 q km (21.76 per cent), and the tree cover i 112,014.34 q km (3.41 per cent). Thu, the country total green cover i 827,356.95 q km, or 25.17 per cent, a tated in the report. (ANI)