Forests are an integral part of India's natural heritage and ecological security. They sustain biodiversity and livelihoods, contribute to water security and play a vital role in addressing climate change. Their conservation and sustainable management require reliable information and sound scientific assessments.

Over the decades, the Forest Survey of India (FSI) has developed strong national capabilities in assessing and monitoring the country's forest resources. Through forest cover assessment, forest inventory, geospatial mapping, forest fire monitoring, carbon assessment and other specialised studies, FSI provides critical information to support informed decision-making.

Advances in satellite remote sensing, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), geospatial technologies and data analytics continue to enhance forest monitoring and assessment. FSI will harness these developments while upholding scientific rigour and field-based validation to ensure the accuracy and reliability of its assessments.

The India State of Forest Report, the Decision Support System and e-Green Watch, together with FSI's other technical services, provide a comprehensive knowledge base for understanding India's forests and tree resources.

I am confident that, through close collaboration with stakeholders and the integration of scientific expertise with field experience, FSI will continue to strengthen the scientific basis for effective forest management and the conservation of India's forest and tree resources.