Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1467, answered on 09.02.2026, addresses the creation of protected forest areas in Bihar. The Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change was asked about the forest area in the country and Bihar, specifically the Koshi-Simanchal region, and whether the Union Government is considering creating protected areas/Tiger Reserves/Biosphere Reserves in several districts (Purnia, Katihar, Araria, Kishanganj, Saharsa, Supaul, Madhepura) to address climate change, and if so, a timeline for completion.
The Minister of State in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh) responded that the Forest Survey of India (FSI), Dehradun, biennially assesses forest and tree cover, publishing findings in the India State of Forest Report (ISFR). According to ISFR-2023, the Recorded Forest Area of the country is 775377 sq km (23.59%), while Bihar's Recorded Forest Area is 7442 sq km (7.90%). District-wise details are not published in ISFR-2023. The creation of Protected Areas/National Parks/Wildlife Sanctuaries/Tiger Reserves is initiated by the State Government under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, based on ecological suitability, land availability, and other considerations.
Key Entities Referenced
Bihar: Indian state; the primary location of focus for creating protected forest areas.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change: Union ministry responsible for environmental and forestry matters; answers questions regarding forest area in Bihar.
Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Statutory provision under which Protected Areas/National Parks/Wildlife Sanctuaries/Tiger Reserves are initiated.
India State of Forest Report (ISFR): Biennial report published by the Forest Survey of India (FSI) regarding forest and tree cover in India.
Forest Survey of India (FSI): Organization under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change that assesses forest cover.
OIH
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1467
TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.02.2026
Creating Protected Forest Area in Bihar
1467. SHRI RAJESH RANJAN:
Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state:
(a) whether it is a fact that the average forest area of the country is 21 per cent whereas the total
forest area of Bihar is 7 per cent and the forest area in the Koshi-Simanchal region of North Bihar
is less than 2 per cent;
(b) if so, whether the Union Government is sensitive towards creating large protected forest
area/Tiger Reserve/Biosphere Reserve in Purnia, Katihar, Araria, Kishanganj, Saharsa, Supaul,
Madhepura districts to balance climate change; and
(c) if so, the time by which, it is likely to be completed?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND
CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)
(a) to (c) Forest Survey of India (FSI), Dehradun, an organization under the Ministry of Environment,
Forest and Climate Change, carries out the assessment of forest and tree cover of the country biennially
and the findings are published in the India State of Forest Report (ISFR).
As per ISFR-2023, the Recorded Forest Area of the country is 775377 square kilometer, which is 23.59%
of the geographical area of the country. The Recorded Forest Area of the State of Bihar is 7442 square
kilometer, which is 7.90% of the geographical area of the State of Bihar. The district-wise details of
Recorded Forest Area are not published in ISFR-2023.
The creation of Protected Areas/National Parks/Wildlife Sanctuaries/Tiger Reserves are initiated by the
concerned State Government as per statutory provisions under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, based
on ecological suitability, availability of forest land, and other relevant considerations.
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