Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has applauded the state’s forest department and stakeholders for their dedication to preserving and expanding the state’s green cover, a step he emphasised as crucial for maintaining environmental equilibrium and supporting life.
Khandu’s remarks followed the release of the India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2023, which ranked Arunachal Pradesh among the top three states in terms of forest and tree cover.
The report highlighted Arunachal Pradesh as the second-ranked state with a combined forest and tree cover of 67,083 square kilometers, placing it between Madhya Pradesh, which topped the list with 85,724 square kilometers, and Maharashtra, which came third with 65,383 square kilometers.
Forest cover refers to areas with a dense forest ecosystem, while tree cover includes all tree-dominated areas, regardless of whether they form part of a recognized forest.
Arunachal Pradesh also secured the second spot in the forest cover category, with 65,882 square kilometers, following Madhya Pradesh at 77,073 square kilometers and ahead of Chhattisgarh, which recorded 55,812 square kilometers of forest.
Khandu expressed his pride in the state’s performance in a post on social media platform X, calling it a “moment of great pride” for Arunachal Pradesh to be ranked so highly in forest conservation efforts.
The ISFR 2023 further revealed that Arunachal Pradesh, along with states like Mizoram, Nagaland, Meghalaya, and Tripura, maintains a forest cover exceeding 75%, underscoring the northeastern region’s critical role in India’s ecological landscape.
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Highlighting the importance of forests, Khandu emphasised their role in combating climate change by acting as natural air filters and regulating ecosystems.
Forests, he noted, are vital for maintaining biodiversity, protecting soil, and ensuring the water cycle while providing essential resources like wood, fruits, and medicinal plants.
“Choosing a greener path not only secures our environment but also ensures sustainable development for generations to come,” Khandu stated in another social media post.
He urged continued commitment to these conservation efforts, emphasising the need to balance environmental preservation with developmental goals for a healthier and more sustainable future.
