The forest cover in the seven States of the North-East increased between 2005 and 2007. According to the India State of Forests Report 2009, the forest cover in the region rose from one lakh sixteen thousand eight hundred and twenty-five sq. kms in 2005 to one lakh seventy thousand four hundred and twenty-three sq. kms in 2007.

The rate of increase was 299 sq. kms during the period.

The proportion of forest cover in the North-East to the total geographical area of the country is over five percent.

The Ministry of Environment and Forests has earmarked special funds for raising the forest cover in the North-East.

This information was given by the Minister of Environment and Forests, Mrs. Jayanthi Natarajan in the Lok Sabha on Monday.