India: Increase of Forest Cover


The forest cover of the country has increased by 728 square kilometer as compared to State of Forest Report, 2005.This has been stated in the last report of Forest Survey of India titled India States of Forest Report 2009 (ISFR 2009).The Ministry of Environment & Forests has been extending financial assistance to States and Union Territories for afforestation with the aim to enhance forest cover under various schemes of National Afforestation & Eco-Development Board.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Environment and Forests (independent charge) Shri Jairam Ramesh in a written reply to a question by Prof. Saif-Ud-Soz in Rajya Sabha today.