Question

Which one of the following Indian states has the highest area under forest cover?
A. Madhya Pradesh
B. Sikkim
C. Meghalaya
D. Mizoram

Answer 1

Hint: The state with the highest area under forest cover recently recorded an increase in the total forest cover area. It increased by 68.49 square kilometres as compared to the previous evaluation recorded in 2017.

Complete answer: Under the Ministry of Environment & Forests, Government of India the Forest Survey of India (FSI) is an organisation whose principal mandate is to lead the study and evaluation of forest resources within the country.

Now let us examine the options
Option A: Madhya Pradesh is the state that recently recorded an increase in the total forest cover area. It recorded an increase of 68.49 square kilometres. According to the IFRS report 2019, Madhya Pradesh ranks the highest in terms of total forest cover area. The total forest cover area of the state is 94,689 square kilometre which is nearly 30.72 percent of its total geographical area.
Option B: The total forest cover area of Sikkim is 3,344 square kilometre which is nearly 47.13 percent of its total geographical area.
Option C: Meghalaya ranks third in terms of forest cover as a percentage of their total geographical area. It covers nearly 76.33 percent of its total geographical area.
Option D: Mizoram ranks first in terms of forest cover as a percentage of their total geographical area. It covers nearly 85.41 percent of its total geographical area.

Thus, the correct answer is option (A).

Note: The State has a sizable rural and tribal populace which is reliant on the forest for their livelihood and fundamental necessities. The State's total recorded Forest Area (RFA) is 94,689 sq km out of which 61,886 sq km is Reserved Forests, the Protected Forests accounts for 31,098 sq km and 1,705 sq km is Unclassed Forests.