India has witnessed a fluctuating trend in tree cover loss over the past two decades, with significant environmental impacts. Despite a net gain in tree cover of approximately 1.32%, the country has experienced a loss of over 1 million hectares, juxtaposed against a gain of nearly 1.88 million hectares. The latest incident report from Nagaland highlights the ongoing challenges, with a fire alert issued on January 3, 2025, underscoring the persistent threat of wildfires to India's forests.
The primary drivers of tree cover loss in India have been identified as forestry activities and shifting agriculture, which together account for the majority of the loss. Wildfires, although less significant in terms of area, remain a concern due to their potential for rapid spread and destruction. Urbanization also contributes to the loss, albeit to a lesser extent.
Explore country profileThe data reveals a complex interplay of loss and gain in India's forest landscape. While there have been efforts leading to tree cover gain, the disturbances and losses highlight the need for continued vigilance and sustainable management practices to ensure the health and resilience of India's forests.
