Question : Tree Census

(a) whether the Government has conducted any tree census across the country to take stock of the country’s biodiversity and ensuring protection of its green areas and if so, the details thereof;
(b) the number of trees and details of the species identified in the survey, State-wise;
(c) the global average of trees per person and the actual ratio in India;
(d) the details of the decadal growth/reduction in the number of trees across the country, State-wise; and
(e) the extent to which tree census is encouraging community awareness of the need for tree conservation, regulating pruning and felling and increasing the green cover?

MINISTER FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

(DR. HARSH VARDHAN)

(a) The Ministry does not conduct any Census of trees to take stock of biodiversity in the country. However, Forest Survey of India, Dehradun a subordinate organization under Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change conducts regular inventory of trees in forests and outside forests in the country under its National Forest Inventory programme by selecting 60 districts randomly in different physiographic zones on a cycle of two years. On the basis of data collected from these 60 districts growing stock (stems & volume of wood) estimates are generated at national level which is published in India State of Forest Report.

(b) The Species wise total number of trees at national level both in Forest and Tree Outside Forest (ToF) as published in India State of Forest Report - 2015 are given in Annexure I&II.

(c) The global average of trees per person is not available. As per India State of Forest Report 2015, average trees per person estimated to be around 16 in India.


(d) The decadal growth rate of number of trees at national level estimated to be 6.6% as per results published in India State of Forest Report -2005 and India State of Forest Report -2015.

(e) The Ministry does not conduct tree census. However, Forest Survey of India, Dehradun a subordinate organization under Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change prepares regular inventory of trees in forests and outside forests in the country under its National Forest Inventory programme biennially and result of forest and tree cover are published in India State of Forest Report. Such figures on increase/decrease in forest cover including inter-States differences in forest and tree cover give more challenges and motivation to achieve future targets among people and Governments.

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