PANAJI
At 60.62 per cent forest cover, Goa hailed as one of the greenest States in the nation according to the Forest Survey of India (FSI) report, Forest Minister Vishwajit Rane declared on Monday.
Rane said that of the total 3,702 sq kms area, Goa’s forest cover is around 2,244.21 sq kms, which is almost 60.62 per cent of the total geographical area as per 2021 FSI.
“Goa figures among one of the greenest States in the country with 60.62 per cent of its geographical area under forest cover against the envisaged national target of 33 per cent under the Indian Forest Policy,” the Minister said.
He said that FSI in biennial reports on assessment of forest cover in the country reported enhancement of approximately 9,300ha of forest cover in Goa since 2009.
According to the data released by the Minister, South Goa has the largest forest cover that is almost 1308.49 sq kms in 2021 as against 1,304.58 sq kms in 2019.
In the North, 935.72 sq kms of area is under forest cover according to 2021 data, which was 932.91 sq kms in 2009.
