According to recent information provided by Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) to Parliament, Northeast crowds list of states with most dense tree and forest cover in the country. It was based on assessment of forest and tree cover are done by Forest Survey of India (FSI), whose findings are published in India State of Forest Report (ISFR). The last report was published in 2017.

Key Findings of Report

Total forest cover: Quarter of India’s geographical area (24.49 %) is under forest and tree cover.

Lowest forest and tree cover: It is in Haryana, at 6.79 % of its geographical area, followed by Punjab (6.87 %), Rajasthan (7.26%).

Highest forest and tree cover: Union Territory of Lakshadweep has 97% of its geographical area of total 30 square km under forest and tree cover. Among six states with highest forest and tree cover, four are in Northeast India viz. Mizoram (88.84%), Arunachal Pradesh (80.93%), Meghalaya (79.37%) and Manipur (78.68%). Goa and Kerala are two other states which have more than 50 % of their geographical area under forest and tree cover.

Highest forest and tree cover (In terms of area): Madhya Pradesh with total 85,487 sq km has highest tree and forest cover in India in terms of geographical area.