India's vast landscapes have experienced a significant tree cover change over the years. The latest incident in Chhattisgarh, where a fire alert was recorded on December 16, 2024, is a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges facing the country's forests. With an area spanning over 315 million hectares, India's tree cover extends to nearly 39 million hectares. However, the nation has seen a net tree cover loss of over 1 million hectares, despite a gain of approximately 1.88 million hectares.
The primary drivers of tree cover loss include shifting agriculture, forestry activities, wildfires, and urbanization. Shifting agriculture alone accounted for a substantial portion of the loss, while forestry activities were the leading cause. Wildfires, although less frequent, still contributed to the overall decline. Over the years, these factors have led to significant changes in tree cover, with a net change of approximately 874,000 hectares, reflecting a 1.32% change in tree cover.
Explore country profileThe persistent loss of tree cover in India has profound implications for biodiversity, climate change, and the well-being of local communities. The incident in Chhattisgarh is a microcosm of the broader environmental challenges that India must address to preserve its natural heritage for future generations.
