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Forest and Tree Cover & Protected Area Network in India

PYQs

8

Articles

1

Momentum

21

Phase IFoundation

Background

Overview

UPSC frequently asks about India's forest cover status, types of protected areas, and conservation initiatives like Project Tiger/Elephant. It's a key indicator of environmental health and conservation strategies.

India's forest and tree cover is regularly assessed, indicating changes in green cover. Complementing this, a comprehensive network of Protected Areas (National Parks, Sanctuaries, Conservation and Community Reserves) and wildlife corridors is established under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, to conserve biodiversity and ensure ecological connectivity.

Phase IIStatic core

Facts & tables

Key facts

ISFR 2023 Data

Forest and tree cover is 25.17% of India's total geographical area.

Increase in Cover

Increased by 1445.81 sq km compared to ISFR 2021.

Protected Area Types

Includes National Parks, Sanctuaries, Conservation Reserves, and Community Reserves.

Wildlife Reserves & Corridors

Comprises 58 Tiger Reserves, 33 Elephant Reserves, and identified corridors for ecological connectivity.

Reference table

Static syllabus anchors

TypeReference
Conceptual areaBiodiversity Conservation
Conceptual areaEnvironmental Statistics

Reference table

Institutions & roles

BodyRole
Forest Survey of India (FSI)Assesses
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate ChangeAdministers
Phase IIIExam lens

Prelims angle

Overview

Prelims angle: Multi-statement analysis

Prelims angle: Factual recall

Quick revision

  • ISFR 2023: 25.17% forest & tree cover.
  • Increase of 1445.81 sq km since 2021.
  • PAs: National Parks, Sanctuaries, Conservation/Community Reserves.
  • 58 Tiger Reserves, 33 Elephant Reserves.
  • Corridors ensure ecological connectivity.

High-confidence PYQs

2026Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

With reference to Madhav National Park, which of the following statements is/are correct ? 1. It was declared a Tiger Reserve in India in 2025. 2. Sakhya Sa...

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2023Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following statements: Once the Central Government notifies an area as a 'Community Reserve' 1. The Chief Wildlife Warden of the State becomes ...

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2022Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

With reference to Indian laws about wildlife protection, consider the following statements: 1. Wild animals are the sole property of the government. 2. When...

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2021Statement-based questions, Factual recall

Consider the following statements: **Statement 1:** The United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) and the Arbor Day Foundation have recently recognize...

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2019Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following statements: 1. As per law, the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority exists at both National and State le...

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2016Policy measures, Purpose or function of a policy tool

Which of the following best describes the aim of ‘Green India Mission’ of the Government of India? 1. Incorporating environment benefits and costs into the ...

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2013Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following pairs: |Protected areas|Region| |-- |--| |1. Nokrek Biosphere Reserve|Garo Hills| |2. Logtak (Loktak) Lake|Barail Range| |3. Namdapha ...

Environment & EcologyOpen question

Consider the following pairs about parks and rivers passing through them: 1. Corbett National Park: Ganga 2. Kaziranga National Park: Manas 3. Silent Valley ...

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2013Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following pairs: |Protected areas|Region| |-- |--| |1. Nokrek Biosphere Reserve|Garo Hills| |2. Logtak (Loktak) Lake|Barail Range| |3. Namdapha ...

Environment & EcologyOpen question

Consider the following pairs about parks and rivers passing through them: 1. Corbett National Park: Ganga 2. Kaziranga National Park: Manas 3. Silent Valley ...

Environment & EcologyOpen question

Topic timeline

Biodiversity ConservationEnvironmental Statistics
Prelims 2013· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following pairs: |Protected areas|Region| |-- |--| |1. Nokrek Biosphere Reserve|Garo Hills| |2. Logtak (Loktak) Lake|Barail Range| |3. Namdapha ...

Open question

Consider the following pairs about parks and rivers passing through them: 1. Corbett National Park: Ganga 2. Kaziranga National Park: Manas 3. Silent Valley ...

Open question
Prelims 2013· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following pairs: |Protected areas|Region| |-- |--| |1. Nokrek Biosphere Reserve|Garo Hills| |2. Logtak (Loktak) Lake|Barail Range| |3. Namdapha ...

Open question

Consider the following pairs about parks and rivers passing through them: 1. Corbett National Park: Ganga 2. Kaziranga National Park: Manas 3. Silent Valley ...

Open question
Prelims 2016· Policy measures, Purpose or function of a policy tool

Which of the following best describes the aim of ‘Green India Mission’ of the Government of India? 1. Incorporating environment benefits and costs into the ...

Open question
Prelims 2019· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following statements: 1. As per law, the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority exists at both National and State le...

Open question
Prelims 2021· Statement-based questions, Factual recall

Consider the following statements: **Statement 1:** The United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) and the Arbor Day Foundation have recently recognize...

Open question
Prelims 2022· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

With reference to Indian laws about wildlife protection, consider the following statements: 1. Wild animals are the sole property of the government. 2. When...

Open question
Prelims 2023· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following statements: Once the Central Government notifies an area as a 'Community Reserve' 1. The Chief Wildlife Warden of the State becomes ...

Open question
Prelims 2026· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

With reference to Madhav National Park, which of the following statements is/are correct ? 1. It was declared a Tiger Reserve in India in 2025. 2. Sakhya Sa...

Open question

PARLIAMENT QUESTION: Forest Conservation Schemes

03 Aug 2026 · India's forest and tree cover, as per ISFR 2023, shows an increasing trend, while a robust Protected Area network (National Parks, Sanctuaries, Reserves) and identified wildlife corridors (Tiger, Elephant) are crucial for biodiversity conservation under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.

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Current topic

Forest and Tree Cover & Protected Area Network in India

Often confused with

Human-Wildlife Conflict (HWC)

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Ramsar Sites and Wetland Conservation

Open notesOften confused with

Forest Cover vs. Tree Cover

Open notesOften confused with

Impact of Infrastructure on Wildlife

Open notes

Practice writing on this topic

UPSC has asked 8 linked questions on Forest and Tree Cover & Protected Area Network in India in Mains. Write an answer to one — and get it evaluated.

See Mains PYQsEvaluate an answer

UPSC Prelims PYQs on Forest and Tree Cover & Protected Area Network in India

Practice official previous year questions asked by UPSC related to this concept.

Consider the following statements: Once the Central Government notifies an area as a 'Community Reserve' 1. The Chief Wildlife Warden of the State becomes ...

2023·Environment & Ecology
Solve

With reference to Indian laws about wildlife protection, consider the following statements: 1. Wild animals are the sole property of the government. 2. When...

2022·Environment & Ecology
Solve

Which of the following best describes the aim of ‘Green India Mission’ of the Government of India? 1. Incorporating environment benefits and costs into the ...

2016·Environment & Ecology
Solve

Consider the following pairs: |Protected areas|Region| |-- |--| |1. Nokrek Biosphere Reserve|Garo Hills| |2. Logtak (Loktak) Lake|Barail Range| |3. Namdapha ...

2013·Environment & Ecology
Solve

Consider the following pairs about parks and rivers passing through them: 1. Corbett National Park: Ganga 2. Kaziranga National Park: Manas 3. Silent Valley ...

2013·Environment & Ecology
Solve

Consider the following statements: **Statement 1:** The United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) and the Arbor Day Foundation have recently recognize...

2021·Environment & Ecology
Solve

With reference to Madhav National Park, which of the following statements is/are correct ? 1. It was declared a Tiger Reserve in India in 2025. 2. Sakhya Sa...

2026·Environment & Ecology
Solve

Consider the following statements: 1. As per law, the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority exists at both National and State le...

2019·Environment & Ecology
Solve

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