Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The overall green cover of India is assessed by combining both the "Forest Cover" (larger canopy stands) and the "Tree Cover" (scattered small tree patches).
Step 2: Detailed Explation:
The India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2021 provides the following statistics for the country's green cover:
- Forest Cover: \( 7,13,789 \text{ sq km} \), representing 21.71% of the total geographical area.
- Tree Cover: \( 95,748 \text{ sq km} \), representing 2.91% of the total geographical area.
- Combined Forest and Tree Cover: \( 8,09,537 \text{ sq km} \).
This combined area represents exactly 24.62% of the total geographical area of India.
Tree cover refers to small, scattered tree patches outside recorded forest areas that are less than one hectare in size.
Evaluating both parameters provides a complete picture of the country's tree and forest resources, tracking progress toward the tiol Forest Policy (1988) target of bringing 33% of India's geographical area under forest and tree cover.
Step 3: Fil Answer
The combined Forest and Tree Cover of India as per ISFR 2021 is 24.62% of the geographical area.