CURRENT AFFAIRS | MARCH 2026
CLAT Relevance
• GK Section — ISFR 2023 data, forest types, canopy density classification, state rankings
• Legal Reasoning — Environmental policy, forest classification methodology debate
• Key Numbers — 21.76% forest cover, 24.67% combined, +156.41 sq km net change, 91.33% Lakshadweep
• GK Section — ISFR 2023 data, forest types, canopy density classification, state rankings
• Legal Reasoning — Environmental policy, forest classification methodology debate
• Key Numbers — 21.76% forest cover, 24.67% combined, +156.41 sq km net change, 91.33% Lakshadweep
Forest Types in India
- Tropical Evergreen Forests: Dense, multi-layered canopy — Western Ghats, Northeast India, Andaman Islands
- Tropical Deciduous Forests: Shed leaves seasonally — most widespread type in India (moist and dry varieties)
- Thorn Forests: Arid and semi-arid regions — Rajasthan, Gujarat, parts of MP
- Littoral and Swamp Forests: Coastal areas and deltas — Sundarbans (world’s largest mangrove), Pichavaram
- Montane Forests: Highland zones — temperate and alpine forests of Himalayas
Canopy Density Classification
Must-Remember Classification
• Very Dense Forest (VDF): 70% and above — highest quality, richest biodiversity
• Moderately Dense Forest (MDF): 40% to 70% — good ecological value
• Open Forest (OF): 10% to 40% — degraded or recovering forests
• Scrub: Below 10% — degraded land, sparse vegetation
• Very Dense Forest (VDF): 70% and above — highest quality, richest biodiversity
• Moderately Dense Forest (MDF): 40% to 70% — good ecological value
• Open Forest (OF): 10% to 40% — degraded or recovering forests
• Scrub: Below 10% — degraded land, sparse vegetation
ISFR 2023 — Headline Numbers
- Total forest cover: 21.76% of India’s geographical area
- Net change: +156.41 sq km increase over previous assessment
- Tree cover (outside recorded forests): Additional 2.91% of geographic area
- Combined forest + tree cover: Approximately 24.67% of India’s land area
State Rankings
Top States — Two Ways to Rank
By Absolute Area: 1. Madhya Pradesh, 2. Arunachal Pradesh, 3. Chhattisgarh
By Absolute Area: 1. Madhya Pradesh, 2. Arunachal Pradesh, 3. Chhattisgarh
By Percentage of Geographic Area:
• Lakshadweep — 91.33%
• Mizoram — 85.34%
• Andaman & Nicobar Islands — 81.62%
Area of Concern
Despite the overall increase in forest cover, the ISFR 2023 flagged a troubling trend: Non-forest area increased by 2,960.81 sq km — indicating that land outside forest boundaries is being converted at an alarming rate.
Mnemonic — Canopy Density
V-M-O-S: Very Dense (70%+), Moderately Dense (40-70%), Open (10-40%), Scrub (below 10%)
V-M-O-S: Very Dense (70%+), Moderately Dense (40-70%), Open (10-40%), Scrub (below 10%)
Source: UPSC Essentials, The Indian Express — March 2026
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Practice Quiz
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Practice Quiz — 10 CLAT-Style Questions
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