As per the India State of Forest Report 2023, which of the following districts in Uttar Pradesh had forest over more than 20% of…

Question

As per the India State of Forest Report 2023, which of the following districts in Uttar Pradesh had forest over more than 20% of their total area?

1. Bahraich

2. Chandauli

3. Shravasti

Select the correct answer from the code given below:

1. A. 1 and 2
2. B. Only 3
3. C. 2 and 3 (Correct answer)
4. D. Only 1

Correct Answer

Option C — 2 and 3

Detailed Solution & Explanation

The correct answer is 2 and 3.

Key Points

• The question tests the India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2023, released by the Forest Survey of India (FSI), Dehradun.
• As per the official answer key, the Uttar Pradesh districts with forest cover exceeding 20% of their geographical area among those listed are Chandauli and Shravasti.
• Bahraich falls below the 20% threshold, so it is excluded — giving option (c).

Additional Information

• Uttar Pradesh's total forest cover is roughly 6.9% of its geographical area, well below the national figure of about 21.76% and far short of the 33% target set by the National Forest Policy, 1988.
• The districts with the largest forest cover in UP by area are concentrated in the Vindhyan belt in the south-east — Sonbhadra, Chandauli and Mirzapur.
• ISFR is published biennially; the 2023 edition was the 18th in the series. Remember the FSI classification: Very Dense Forest (canopy density above 70%), Moderately Dense Forest (40-70%) and Open Forest (10-40%).