Increase in forest, tree cover and tiger count across the state, claims Minister

“As per the latest India State of Forest Report 2019 (ISFR), the forest cover in the State is 26,364 square kilometres which is 20.27 percentage of the State’s geographical area. Tamil Nadu has achieved an increase in forest cover of 83.02 square kilometres, as compared to ISFR 2017,” said Sreenivasan, in Assembly.

The ISFR is a biennial report prepared by Forest Survey of India, Dehradun, based on the interpretation of satellite imagery.

The recent report is a huge boost to the State government as the green cover has witnessed a considerable rise when compared to the previous years.

“Tamil Nadu has achieved an increase in tree cover of 159 square kilometre as per ISFR 2019. According to ISFR 2017, total tree cover in the state was 4,671 square kilometres and it has increased to 4,830 in 2019,” said the Minister, who also said that Tamil Nadu is the leading State (among large states) which is continuously increasing its area under forest and tree cover.

The Minister further said that due to the stern anti-poaching measures taken by the State government the tiger count has also increased in the State. “The State’s sincere efforts in protection and management of tiger habitats in Western and Eastern Ghats of the State is indicated by the increase of tiger population from 229 (according to 2014 census) to 264 (in 2018 census),” said Minister.