Correct Answer - Option 2 : 33%
The correct answer is 33%.
- As per the National Forest Policy 1988, the national goal should be to have a minimum of one-third (33%) of the total land area of the country under forest or tree cover.
- In the hills and in mountainous regions, the aim should be to maintain two-third of the area under such cover in order to prevent erosion and land degradation and to ensure the stability of the fragile ecosystem.
- However, the India State of Forests Report 2019 reveals that India’s forest cover is 24.56% of the total landmass.
- Some of the basic objectives of the policy-
- Maintenance of environmental stability through preservation.
- Conserving the natural heritage of the country by preserving the remaining natural forests.
- Checking soil erosion and denudation in the catchments areas of rivers, lakes, reservoirs.
- Checking the extension of sand-dunes in the desert areas
