According to the India State of Forest Report 2023, which of the following states showed the maximum decrease in forest cover inside the Recorded Forest Areas (RFAs) and Green Wash (GW) areas in India?

Correct option is C

The correct answer is (c) Tripura
Explanation:
. ISFR 2023 (Vol II) records Tripura with maximum loss of 116.90 sq km in forest cover within Recorded Forest Areas (RFA) + Green Wash (GW).
. Other losers: Telangana (105.87 sq km), Assam (86.66 sq km); national trend showed overall gain.
. FSI report uses satellite data; RFA/GW losses due to encroachments, plantations.
Information Booster:
. Total forest cover: 7,15,343 sq km (21.76% geographic area).
. Tree cover outside RFA increased.
. Released December 2023 by MoEFCC.
Additional Knowledge:
Odisha (Option a)
. Loss not maximum; stable in RFA/GW.
. Gains in very dense forests offset.
Karnataka (Option b)
. Western Ghats protected; lower RFA loss.
. MDF scrub changes minimal.
West Bengal (Option d)
. Sunderbans mangroves stable.
. Not in top loss states for RFA/GW.