Forest Conservation vs Development: A Decade of Balancing Acts

In the past decade, India has lost over 1,700 sq km of forest due to development activities. However, the government has offset this loss with compensatory afforestation, increasing forest cover by 21,761 sq km. The northeastern states have seen a reduction in forest cover, while others like Andhra Pradesh and Telangana have witnessed gains.

In the last ten years, India has seen the loss of more than 1,700 sq km of forest area due to various development projects, according to Environment and Forest Minister Bhupendra Yadav. Speaking in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, Yadav noted that the government has undertaken compensatory measures, acquiring land for afforestation efforts.

The minister pointed out that the overall forest cover in the country has actually increased. While five northeastern states, including Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram, experienced a decrease, states like Andhra Pradesh and Telangana have seen growth in their forest areas.

Additionally, Yadav emphasized the government's commitment to increasing total green cover under the Paris Agreement and its efforts towards the '30 by 30 vision' initiated at the Montreal Biodiversity COP. Concerns about landslide-prone areas and project approvals in high-altitude regions were also addressed.

(With inputs from agencies.)