Forests play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance, biodiversity and livelihood security. The present study analyses the distribution pattern of forests in Nadia district of West Bengal, India, by highlighting spatial variability in forest types, forest cover status and administrative management. Although the FAO defines forest as land spanning more than 0.5 hectares with a minimum 10% canopy cover, the legal status of forest in Nadia district does not necessarily reflect actual tree presence, resulting in a discrepancy between forest area and forest cover. The findings reveal that forest distribution in Nadia district is highly uneven, with dense forests concentrated in the northern and southern parts of West Bengal, while scattered and degraded forests dominate the southwestern regions. In the Nadia–Murshidabad Forest Division (NMFD), the total forest area is 2003.49 hectares, of which Nadia district accounts for only 1233.43 hectares, representing a mere 0.33% of its total geographical area, far below the national forest policy target of 33%.
The study identifies multiple vegetation types, such as moist deciduous, dry deciduous, riverine and littoral forests, distributed differently across the district. Administrative distribution includes three range offices and ten beat offices, though only six beats contain forest land. Long-term assessment from 1999 to 2019 shows that forest cover in Nadia has gradually increased due to plantation and conservation initiatives, especially under programmes like CAMPA, Namami Gange, QGS, Strip Plantation and Social Forestry. Government-led and private plantations significantly contribute to the growing proportion of Moderately Dense Forest (MDF) and Open Forest (OF). However, issues such as illegal logging, infrastructure development, and high human pressure continue to threaten forest sustainability.
The study concludes that strengthening grassroots forest governance, enhancing community participation, promoting plantation drives, increasing outposts and reducing dependence on protected forests for livelihood are essential to restore ecological stability in the district. Ensuring planned afforestation and preservation of existing forest patches can contribute meaningfully toward enhancing forest cover and sustaining biodiversity in Nadia district.