India's forest cover has seen a modest increase of 2.5% over a decade (2010-11 to 2021-22), according to the government's first-ever dedicated publication on forest accounting. While the overall rise appears marginal, a closer look reveals a significant surge in the 'very dense forest' (VDF) category, which grew by 22.7% during the same period. This suggests effective regeneration and conservation efforts within the country.

The physical asset accounting showed that forest cover (very dense, moderately dense, and open forest) increased from 697,898 sq km in 2010-11 to 715,342 in 2021-22, adding 17,444 sq km (2.5%) in 10 years. During the same 10-year period, 'very dense forest' (VDF) increased by 19,000 sq km (from 83,502 sq km in 2010-11 to 102,502 sq km in 2021-22) whereas 'moderately dense forest' (MDF) decreased by 11,071 sq km (from 318,745 sq km to 307,673 sq km). The increase was also reported in the 'open forest' category from 295,651 sq km to 305,167 sq km (9,516 sq km increase). All lands with tree canopy density of 70% and above come under VDF whereas lands with tree canopy density of 40% and more but less than 70% are categorised as MDF. Similarly, all lands with tree canopy density of 10% and more but less than 40% come under the 'open forest' category.

The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) released its first dedicated “Environmental Accounting on Forest – 2025” report. The publication, aligned with the UN System of Environmental Economic Accounts (SEEA) framework, offers a comprehensive national and state-level assessment of forest assets, condition, and ecosystem services. The two-volume study draws on the India State of Forest Report (ISFR), forestry statistics, and international accounting standards. Volume I covers methodology and national-level indicators, while Volume II provides state and Union Territory data, including decadal changes.

The forest extent rose by 3,356 sq km between 2013 and 2023, aided by reclassification and boundary adjustments. Uttarakhand, Odisha and Jharkhand saw the sharpest gains in recorded forest area.

State-wise data shows the highest increase of 4,137 sq km in Kerala followed by 3,122 sq km in Karnataka and 2,606 sq km in Tamil Nadu in the VDF category.

However, experts point out that the marginal net gain masks considerable declines across many biodiversity-rich forests and mangroves, as well as in overall forest quality. Forest cover has declined in biodiversity-rich areas like the Western Ghats, Himalayan states, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Over the past decade, a significant amount of very dense forest, moderately dense forest and open forest have degraded into nonforest areas, while a considerable amount of forests have lost density, shifting from VDF and MDF to OF.

This shift in forest quality can also be interpreted through the change in the various categories of forest. The FSI classifies forest types by their percentage canopy density.

The report highlights the growth of agroforestry by 20.02% over the past decade. While this increase in tree cover is a positive sign, it's not equivalent to improving forest cover. The report also indicates an overall decrease in India's mangrove cover, with considerable declines in the state of Gujarat and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

India's forest and tree cover encompasses 827,357 sq km — 25.17% of the country's geographical area. Of this, around 21.76% is forest cover whereas tree cover is around 3.41%. Compared to 2021, there is an increase of 1445 sqkm in the total forest and tree cover of the country.

India's forest carbon stock is estimated at 7,285.5 million tonnes, with an increase of 81.5 million tonnes compared to 2021. India's mangrove cover is 4,991.68 km².

The stock of usable wood in living trees, a key indicator of forest health, increased by 305.5 million cubic metres, or 7.3%, in the same period. Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Telangana led the gains, while the Andaman & Nicobar Islands recorded the highest increase among Union Territories.

The value of provisioning services such as timber and non-timber products rose.