Correct option is B
Ans. (b)
According to the India State Forest Report 2021 (ISFR 2021), Rajasthan has 56.43% of its forest area classified as Protected Forests. These forests are managed for the protection of soil, water, and biodiversity and hold significant ecological importance in the state. Protected forests form a major proportion of Rajasthan’s total forest cover.
Information Booster
· Rajasthan has a total forest area of 32,863 sq km, which is 9.60% of the state’s geographical area and 4.23% of the total forest area of India.
· The classification of forests in Rajasthan:
· Reserved Forest Area: 37%
· Protected Forest Area: 56.43%
· Unclassed Forest Area: 6.5%
· Rajasthan’s forest cover is relatively low due to its arid and semi-arid conditions.
Additional Knowledge
Details of Options:
1. 54.33% (Option a): This is incorrect as it does not reflect the actual percentage of Protected Forests in Rajasthan.
2. 56.43% (Option b): This is the correct answer, representing the percentage of Rajasthan’s forest area classified under Protected Forests as per ISFR 2021.
3. 52.43% (Option c): This is a fabricated percentage, incorrect as per ISFR data.
4. 37.05% (Option d): Represents the percentage of Reserved Forests in Rajasthan, not Protected Forests.
Key Points
· Protected Forests in Rajasthan cover 18,543 sq km or 56.43% of the state’s total forest area.
· Reserved Forests cover 12,176 sq km or 37%, while Unclassed Forests constitute the remaining 6.5%.
· The report emphasizes the ecological importance of forest conservation in the state’s desert landscape.
