Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Dec 31: In the past two years, Karnataka has added over 1,000 sqkm of forest, sates Indian State of Forest Report (ISFR) – 2019, released on December 30.

According to the report, India saw 3,976 sq km increase in forest cover. Karnataka has registered the highest contribution. According to global standards, at least 33 per cent of the geographical area of any region must be made up of forests. Karnataka has an overall forest cover of 20.1 per cent.

“Based on the interpretation of IRS Resources at-2 LISS III satellite data between November 2017 and March 2018, the forest cover in Karnataka is 38,575 sq km, which is 20.1 percent of the total geographical area,” the report said.

The report highlights that the forest cover in Karnataka was assessed to be 19.6 per cent of the total geographic area in 2017. However, the latest report suggests an increase of 1,025.48 sq km.

Recorded Forest Area (RFA) in Karnataka is 38,284 sq km of which, 28,690 sq km is reserved forest. 3,931 sq km is protected area and 5,663 sq km is unclassed forests.

When classified as per forest canopy density, the state has 4,501 sq km under Very Dense Forest (VDF), 21,048 sq km under Moderately Dense Forest (MDF) and 13,026 sq km under Open Forest (OF).

Western Ghats, which has a rich biodiversity, accounts for 60 per cent of forest area of the state.

“Protection and management of degraded forests through community participation is a major thrust area of the state forest department besides biodiversity conservation and eco-tourism,” highlights the report.