'Forest, tree cover increases by 8,021 sq km over last 2 yrs

The forest and tree cover of the country has increased by 8,021 sq km over the last two years, a latest government assessment said today.
India's total forest and tree cover stands around 8 lakh sq km which is 24.39 per cent of the total geographical area, it said.
The India State of the Forest Report 2017 was released by Union Environment minister Harsh Vardhan and Minister of State for Environment Mahesh Sharma.
According to the report, the total forest cover is 7,08,273 sq km, while the total forest and tree cover is 8,02,088 sq km of the total geographical area of the country.

"Although there has been a decline in the forest cover world over, it is great that India's forest cover is increasing and we stand 10th in the world," Vardhan said while releasing the report.
The survey has for the first time assessed water bodies.