As informed by the Indian Institute of Science, the Western Ghats Spatial Decision Support System (WGSDSS) hosted by the Institute is a part of the ongoing ecological research in the Western Ghats considering recent advances in information and open source web technologies through the integration of spatial with the attribute information at disaggregated levels. The WGSDSS has no provision for regular tracking of fresh deforestation events.

As per the India State of Forest Report (ISFR) of the Forest Survey of India 2021, the total forest and tree cover of the country is 80.9 million hectare, which is 24.62% of the geographical area of the country. As compared to the assessment of 2019, there is an increase of 2261 sq.km. in the total forest and tree cover of the country. Out of this, the increase in the forest cover has been observed to be 1540 sq.km. and that in tree cover is 721 sq.km. The total forest cover recorded during 2019 in six States (Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu), falling within the Western Ghats region is 1,53,955 sq.km. However, 1,54,370 sq.km. of the forest cover was recorded in these six States during the year 2021, which shows an increase in 415 sq.km. forest cover.

This information was given by Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shri Ashwini Kumar Choubey in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

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MJPS/NSK

(Release ID: 1946396)