Forest vs Tree Cover: A Critical Distinction for Karnataka
Karnataka's green-cover challenge makes it urgent to distinguish forests from tree-based farming, according to experts Sayanta Ghosh and J V Sharma. The state's ambitious goal to increase green cover requires a clear understanding of what constitutes a forest versus tree cover on farms.
Why the Distinction Matters
Forests are defined by ecological complexity, biodiversity, and natural regeneration, while tree cover on farms often involves monoculture plantations or agroforestry. Conflating the two can lead to misleading statistics and ineffective policy. For instance, Karnataka's reported green cover may include commercial plantations of eucalyptus or acacia, which do not provide the same ecosystem services as native forests.
Karnataka's Green Cover Challenge
Karnataka has set a target to increase its forest and tree cover to 33% of geographical area. Currently, forest cover stands at about 20%, while tree cover outside forests is around 6%. However, experts argue that much of the tree cover is from fast-growing exotic species planted for timber or pulp, offering limited habitat for wildlife and poor carbon sequestration compared to natural forests.
Policy Implications
The distinction is crucial for policy. If tree cover on farms is counted as forest, it may reduce pressure to protect natural forests. The authors stress that agroforestry and plantations are valuable for livelihoods and carbon storage, but they should not substitute for native forest conservation. Karnataka's Forest Department and the Indian government need to adopt clearer definitions to guide land-use planning and climate commitments.
Expert Recommendations
Ghosh and Sharma recommend that Karnataka develop a state-specific forest definition that excludes commercial plantations unless they meet biodiversity criteria. They also call for independent audits of green cover data and community involvement in forest conservation. Without such measures, Karnataka risks losing its remaining natural forests while claiming progress on green cover.
