Nandini Killa and Monika Koul

According to the National Forest Policy of India, one-third of the area (33%) should be covered by forests. However, as per India State of Forest Report (ISFR), 25.17% of the geographical area is under forests, out of which 3.41% is tree cover, which brings down the area to around 21.76%, suggesting the deficit. Forests can also be considered terrestrial ecosystems that offer many ecological and economic services. Ecological services include conserving and preserving biodiversity as forests provide habitats for a vast array of organisms including flora and fauna. Forests help in nutrient optimisation, biogeochemical cycling especially maintenance of hydrological cycles. Besides, the flora, fauna, insects, and a variety of minor forest produce (fruits, tubers, latex, gums, and honey) serve as food sources.

Forest dwellers and the tribal populations have developed an intrinsic relationship with forests for food, shelter, nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals. However, forests and the diverse array of species residing in them are under severe pressure on account of natural and anthropogenic activities. Challenges such as deforestation, rampant clearing of forests for developmental activities, disease outbreaks, invasive species, and the…read more on NOPR