Forest Cover of UP
Forest cover statistics, types of forests, district-wise distribution, ISFR data, social forestry, and agroforestry initiatives in Uttar Pradesh for UPSSSC AGTA exam.
Forest Cover — The Big Picture
Uttar Pradesh has one of the lowest forest cover percentages among Indian states. According to the India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2023, UP’s total forest cover is approximately 14,806 sq km, constituting just ~6.15% of the state’s geographic area.
This is dramatically below the national average of 21.71% and far from the National Forest Policy 1988 target of 33% forest cover for the country.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Geographic Area | 2,40,928 sq km |
| Total Forest Cover | ~14,806 sq km |
| Forest Cover % | ~6.15% |
| National Average | 21.71% |
| National Policy Target | 33% |
| Recorded Forest Area (RFA) | ~16,583 sq km (6.88%) |
| Tree Cover (outside forests) | ~8,625 sq km |
Exam Tip: Distinguish between forest cover (actual canopy detected by satellite) and recorded forest area (land legally classified as forest). RFA is always slightly higher than actual forest cover.
Types of Forests in UP
UP’s forests are classified into three major types based on climate, rainfall, and altitude:
1. Tropical Dry Deciduous Forests
This is the most widespread forest type in UP, covering the Vindhyan hills, Bundelkhand plateau, and parts of central UP.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Extent | Largest forest type in UP |
| Location | Mirzapur, Sonbhadra, Banda, Chitrakoot, Hamirpur |
| Rainfall Zone | 750–1,200 mm |
| Key Species | Teak (Sagwan), Tendu, Mahua, Palash, Khair |
| Characteristics | Trees shed leaves in hot season (March–May) |
2. Tropical Moist Deciduous Forests
Found in the Terai belt along UP’s northern border with Nepal, where higher rainfall and proximity to the Himalayas create moist conditions.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Lakhimpur Kheri, Pilibhit, Bahraich, Shravasti, Balrampur |
| Rainfall Zone | 1,200–2,000 mm |
| Key Species | Sal (Shorea robusta), Sheesham, Teak, Bamboo, Jamun |
| Characteristics | Dense canopy, rich undergrowth, high biodiversity |
| Notable Area | Dudhwa National Park ecosystem |
3. Tropical Thorn Forests
Found in the semi-arid western UP districts bordering Rajasthan, where rainfall drops below 750 mm.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Agra, Mathura, western fringes |
| Rainfall Zone | < 750 mm |
| Key Species | Babool (Acacia), Ber, Cactus, Khejri |
| Characteristics | Thorny bushes, scattered trees, open canopy |
District-wise Forest Distribution
Forest cover is extremely uneven across UP’s 75 districts. The southern and Terai districts have the most, while the Gangetic plain districts are almost treeless.
Districts with Highest Forest Cover
| District | Forest Area (sq km) | % of District Area |
|---|---|---|
| Sonbhadra | ~2,540 | 36.79% |
| Mirzapur | ~1,295 | 28.94% |
| Lakhimpur Kheri | ~860 | 11.04% |
| Pilibhit | ~740 | 20.95% |
| Chitrakoot | ~630 | 15.68% |
Districts with Lowest Forest Cover
| District | Forest Area (sq km) | % of District Area |
|---|---|---|
| Sant Ravidas Nagar | ~3.12 | 0.31% |
| Deoria | ~5.2 | 0.21% |
| Mau | ~4.8 | 0.22% |
| Ballia | ~8.5 | 0.26% |
Exam Tip: Sonbhadra = highest forest cover district in UP. Sant Ravidas Nagar = lowest. This is one of the most frequently asked facts.
ISFR Data and Trends
The India State of Forest Report (ISFR) is published biennially by the Forest Survey of India (FSI), Dehradun. It uses satellite imagery to assess forest cover across India.
| ISFR Category | Definition | UP Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Very Dense Forest | Canopy > 70% | ~1,040 sq km |
| Moderately Dense Forest | Canopy 40–70% | ~3,890 sq km |
| Open Forest | Canopy 10–40% | ~9,876 sq km |
| Scrub | Canopy < 10% | ~1,100 sq km |
The bulk of UP’s forest is open forest — degraded woodland with thin canopy — rather than dense, ecologically rich forest. Only about 7% of UP’s forest cover qualifies as “very dense.”
Recent Trends
- UP’s forest cover has shown marginal improvement in recent ISFR cycles (gaining ~100–200 sq km per cycle)
- Gains are primarily from plantation activities and agroforestry, not natural forest regeneration
- Tree cover outside forests (~8,625 sq km) is significant — reflecting roadside, canal-side, and farm tree planting
Social Forestry and Agroforestry
Given its low natural forest cover, UP has pursued social forestry and agroforestry as strategies to increase green cover.
Social Forestry Programme
Launched in the 1980s, social forestry aims to plant trees on non-forest lands — roadsides, canal banks, wasteland, and community lands.
| Component | Description |
|---|---|
| Farm Forestry | Trees on private agricultural land |
| Community Forestry | Plantation on common/panchayat land |
| Extension Forestry | Along roads, railways, canals |
| Urban Forestry | Greening cities and towns |
Agroforestry Promotion
UP has emerged as a leading agroforestry state. Farmers grow timber and fruit trees alongside crops — poplar, eucalyptus, and mango are the most common agroforestry species.
| Species | Region | Economic Value |
|---|---|---|
| Poplar (Populus) | Western UP (Saharanpur, Muzaffarnagar) | Plywood, matchstick industry |
| Eucalyptus | Central and eastern UP | Pulp, paper, essential oils |
| Mango | Lucknow, Malihabad, Saharanpur | Fruit, timber |
| Teak | Southern UP (Vindhyan) | High-value timber |
Exam Tip: Poplar cultivation in western UP is a major agribusiness — trees mature in 6–8 years and supply the plywood industry centred around Yamunanagar (Haryana).
Government Initiatives
| Initiative | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Van Mahotsav | Annual tree planting festival (July) |
| Compensatory Afforestation (CAMPA) | Mandatory plantation when forest land is diverted |
| Green India Mission | National mission to increase forest cover |
| UP State Forestry Action Plan | State-level strategy for forest management |
| Joint Forest Management (JFM) | Community participation in forest protection |
Key Takeaways
- UP’s forest cover is just ~6.15% — well below the national average of 21.71%
- Three forest types: Tropical Dry Deciduous (largest), Moist Deciduous (Terai), Thorn (western UP)
- Sonbhadra has the highest forest cover (36.79%); Sant Ravidas Nagar the lowest (0.31%)
- Most of UP’s forest is open forest with thin canopy
- Agroforestry (poplar, eucalyptus) compensates for low natural forest
- ISFR is published by FSI, Dehradun using satellite data
Summary Cheat Sheet
| Item | Quick Fact |
|---|---|
| Forest Cover | ~14,806 sq km (~6.15%) |
| National Average | 21.71% |
| Largest Forest Type | Tropical Dry Deciduous |
| Terai Forests | Moist Deciduous (Sal, Sheesham) |
| Highest Forest District | Sonbhadra (36.79%) |
| Lowest Forest District | Sant Ravidas Nagar (0.31%) |
| Key Agroforestry | Poplar (western UP), Eucalyptus |
| ISFR Publisher | Forest Survey of India, Dehradun |
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