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The India State of Forest 2023 report reveals a complex picture of Tamil Nadu's forest health. While a 9.09% increase in forest cover over the last decade, adding 2,205.01 sq.km of greenery, is initially encouraging, a closer examination reveals nuances that require careful consideration. The increase, which brings the total forest cover to 26,450.22 sq.km, is offset by a concerning decline of almost 61 sq.km over the past three years, highlighting the dynamic and potentially fragile nature of these gains. This underscores the need for continuous monitoring and proactive conservation strategies to maintain and expand forest cover sustainably. The definition of 'forest cover' itself, encompassing areas with at least 10% canopy cover including orchards and plantations, raises questions about the true representation of forest health and biodiversity. While this broader definition includes areas that contribute to carbon sequestration and ecosystem services, it might not accurately reflect the density and ecological integrity of native forest ecosystems.
A significant portion of the increased forest cover is found outside officially designated forest areas (RFA). This is noteworthy, suggesting that either natural regeneration or afforestation efforts outside formally protected areas are contributing to the overall increase. However, it also raises questions about the management and protection of these areas. The RFA itself shows a slight loss of forest cover, indicating potential challenges within formally protected regions. This could be attributed to various factors, including illegal logging, encroachment, forest fires, and the impact of invasive species. The report highlights the pervasive threat posed by invasive species like lantana camara and prosopis juliflora, which degrade biodiversity and forest health within the RFA. Addressing this invasive species problem is crucial for maintaining the long-term health and sustainability of the forests within the RFA.
The classification of forest cover into very dense, moderately dense, and open forest provides further insight into the quality of the gains. Only 13% of the total forest cover is classified as very dense forest, suggesting that a significant portion of the increase represents areas with less dense tree cover. This might indicate an increase in afforestation efforts focused on less dense stands or natural regeneration in areas with scattered tree cover. While this still contributes to carbon sequestration and ecosystem services, it differs considerably from the ecological value of dense, mature forests. The increase in tree cover within agroforestry systems also contributes to the overall increase, but it is important to note that the inclusion of smaller trees (5-10 cm diameter) in the 2023 count, which were not included in the 2013 count, inflates the apparent increase. This methodological change makes direct comparison difficult and requires careful interpretation of the data.
The report's findings underscore the need for a nuanced approach to forest conservation in Tamil Nadu. While the overall increase in forest cover is positive, the decline in recent years and the issues within the RFA highlight the challenges ahead. Further investigation is needed to understand the drivers of the recent decline and to develop strategies to address the threats to forest health, particularly the impact of invasive species and the management of forest areas outside the RFA. Effective forest management should focus on improving the quality and density of forests within the RFA while simultaneously promoting sustainable forest management practices outside the RFA to ensure the long-term sustainability of Tamil Nadu's forest resources. This includes strengthening forest protection measures, promoting sustainable agriculture practices, and implementing effective programs for the control of invasive species. Long-term monitoring, using consistent methodologies, is crucial to track the effectiveness of conservation efforts and inform future strategies.
Source: Tamil Nadu’s forest cover up 9.09% over the last decade: govt. report