Q. According to India State of Forest Report 2023 (ISFR 2023):
a) The total forest and tree cover of the country is 15% of the geographical area of the country.
b) Top three states having largest recorded forest area (RFA) are Jharkhand, Andaman & Nicobar and Manipur.
c) The maximum tree cover has been found in the State of Maharashtra followed by Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.
d) More than one of the above
Correct Answer : c) The maximum tree cover has been found in the State of Maharashtra followed by Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.
Question from BPSC PT 71, 2025
Correct Answer: c) The maximum tree cover has been found in the State of Maharashtra followed by Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.
Explanation:
Statement (a) is incorrect because the total forest and tree cover of India is significantly more than 15% of its geographical area; it is actually closer to 25%.
Statement (b) is incorrect. The top three states with the largest recorded forest area are not Jharkhand, Andaman & Nicobar, and Manipur. States like Madhya Pradesh and Arunachal Pradesh consistently rank at the top for forest cover.
Statement (c) is correct. Based on the forest reports, Maharashtra has the largest tree cover among all states, followed by Rajasthan and then Uttar Pradesh. Tree cover refers to small patches of trees outside of officially recorded forest areas.
