Global Forest Watch (GFW)

Context

The Global Forest Watch reveals that India has experienced significant tree cover loss since 2000, totaling 2.33 million hectares.

Global Forest Watch (GFW)

Global Forest Watch (GFW) is an online platform that provides near real-time monitoring of the world’s forests. It’s a collaborative effort led by the World Resources Institute (WRI) with partners like Google, universities, and NGOs.

Functions

• Forest Monitoring: GFW uses satellite data and other sources to track changes in forest cover, including deforestation and tree cover gain. This allows users to see where trees are disappearing and where forests are being restored.
• Alerts: You can subscribe to alerts for specific areas to get notified about potential deforestation events.
• Data & Tools: GFW provides free and easy-to-use tools for anyone to explore forest data, create custom maps, and analyze trends.
• Transparency & Accountability: By making forest information accessible, GFW empowers people to hold governments and companies accountable for their impact on forests.

GFW is a valuable resource for a wide range of users, including:

• Governments: to develop and enforce effective forest policies.
• NGOs: to track deforestation and advocate for forest conservation.
• Companies: to ensure their supply chains are deforestation-free.
• Researchers: to study forest trends and impacts of climate change.
• The General Public: to stay informed about global forest health and take action to protect forests.