The Global Forest Watch (GFW), a report presented by the World Resources Institute (WRI), reveals a startling loss of over 1.6 million hectares of tree cover in India between 2001 and 2018. This is roughly equivalent to four times the geographical area of Goa. GFW serves as an open-source web application that allows for monitoring of global forests in near real-time.
Key Findings of the GFW Report
Five north-eastern states in India — Nagaland, Tripura, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Manipur — were found to be responsible for over half of all tree cover loss during this timeframe. The factors causing this notable tree cover loss include forest land diversion and climate change. The decline in tree cover has resulted in significant carbon emissions totaling 172 MT during this period.
Furthermore, the analysis indicates a decrease in total tree cover from 12% of the country’s geographical area in 2000 down to just 8.9% in 2010.
GFW’s Methodology for Data Collection
The Global Forest Watch uses a dataset gathered by several prestigious organizations and institutes. The University of Maryland, Google, the US Geological Survey, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) have contributed to this data set. Additionally, satellite images are used to map the global tree cover at a 30-meter resolution for the years 2000 and 2010.
| Total Tree Cover in India (in %) | Year |
|---|---|
| 12% | 2000 |
| 8.9% | 2010 |
GFW Data Limitations
Despite the rigorous methodology, the data used by the Global Forest Watch for this analysis has limitations particularly for India. The report fails to include open forest and scrub forest, which greatly contribute to India’s overall forest composition.
About World Resources Institute (WRI)
The WRI, founded in 1982, is a global research organization operating in more than 50 countries. It focuses on six critical issues at the crossroads of environment and development: climate, energy, food, forests, water, and cities and transport. Headquartered in Washington, US, it continues its commitment to environmental sustainability and development.
