Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Forest cover can be evaluated either as absolute forest area (measured in square kilometers) or as relative forest cover (expressed as a percentage of the state's total geographical area).
Step 2: Detailed Explation:
While Madhya Pradesh has the largest absolute forest area in India, several smaller states in Northeast India have much higher forest cover relative to their geographic size.
According to the India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2021, the top five states with the highest percentage of forest cover of their total geographical area are:
1. Mizoram: 84.53%
2. Aruchal Pradesh: 79.33%
3. Meghalaya: 76.00%
4. Manipur: 74.34%
5. galand: 73.90%
These states contain highly diverse tropical wet evergreen, semi-evergreen, and montane subtropical forest ecosystems.
Mizoram continues to lead India in relative forest cover, despite facing local challenges from shifting cultivation (jhuming) and developmental pressures.
Step 3: Fil Answer
Mizoram is the Indian state with the highest percentage of forest cover relative to its geographical area, at 84.53%.