Arrange the following states in descending order on the basis of percentage of forested area out of the total geographical area.

A. Uttarakhand

B. West Bengal

C. Odisha

D. Kerala

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

The correct answer is: D, A, C, B

Key Points

• Kerala:
  • Kerala has the highest percentage of forest cover among the listed states.
  • It has rich biodiversity and dense tropical rainforests, especially in the Western Ghats region.
  • Approximately 54-55% of Kerala's geographical area is under forest cover.
  • The forests play a crucial role in supporting the state’s ecological balance and wildlife diversity.
• Uttarakhand:
  • Uttarakhand has a significant forested area due to its location in the Himalayan region.
  • The forest area is around 45% of the total geographical area.
  • The forests include temperate, subtropical, and alpine vegetation zones supporting various flora and fauna.
• Odisha:
  • Odisha has substantial forest cover, with over 30% of its total area covered by forests.
  • The forests include coastal, deciduous, and mangrove types, especially in the Mahanadi delta and coastal regions.
  • Forests in Odisha are important for tribal communities and biodiversity conservation.
• West Bengal:
  • West Bengal has comparatively lesser forest cover, covering about 19-20% of its area.
  • Forests are mainly located in the northern hill districts and in the Sundarbans mangrove ecosystem.
  • The state’s forests are fragmented and unevenly distributed due to urbanization and agricultural expansion.

Additional Information

• Forest Cover Categories:
  • Very Dense Forest: Areas with a canopy density of 70% and above.
  • Moderately Dense Forest: Areas with a canopy density of 40–70%.
  • Open Forest: Areas with a canopy density of 10–40%.
• Significance of Forests:
  • Forests contribute to climate regulation, water conservation, soil protection, and support biodiversity.
  • They also provide livelihoods to tribal and forest-dependent communities.
• Government Initiatives:
  • Programmes like the National Afforestation Programme (NAP) and Green India Mission aim to enhance the forest cover and ecological balance.