Forest cover in India’s northeast: Of 3698 sq km forest cover lost by the region in past 10 years, 1020 sq. km was lost in just 2 years between 2019 and 2021

India’s northeast region lost 3,698 sq km forest cover over a period of 10 years from 2011 to 2021. Of this nearly 27.58% loss (1,020 sq. km) was recorded in just two years between biennial forest surveys conducted in 2019 to 2021 which points towards the alarming pace of deforestation in the region. 

The Department Related Parliamentary Committee on Home Affairs on its 239 Report on Demands for Grants (2022-23) Ministry of development of North Eastern Region presented to the parliament on March 14 has brought this to light. Among the states in the region, Mizoram accounts for maximum loss of forest cover during this period.

The Report includes a compilation of ten years data from India State of Forest Report (ISFR). The ISFR is publishes data on state of India’s forest every two years.

Mizoram, with a geographical area of 21,081 sq. km, topped the list and lost 1,297 sq. km forest cover between 2001 and 2021. This is followed by Nagaland with 1,067 sq km loss of forest cover during this period. The state has a total geographical area of 16,597 sq. km only.

With a total geographical area of 84,000 sq. km, Arunachal Pradesh, the largest northeastern state has lost 979 sq. km forest cover during this period.

The region lost 1020 sq km forest cover with in two years between 2019 and 2021. It lost 549 sq. km forest cover in 2001 from its earlier survey, 627 sq km between 2011 and 2013, 656 sq km between 2013-15, 630 sq km between 2015-17 and 756 sq km between 2017-19.

Forest cover of the region came down from 1,73,219 sq. km in 2011 to 1,69 521 sq. km in 2021. Northeastern region with a total geographical area of 2.62 lakh sq.km.

The Committee strongly recommends that urgent necessary action must be taken to address the issue of deforestation by conducting major plantation drives and regularly monitoring the forest cover in the region.

The Committee also recommends that various centrally sponsored initiatives must accord priority towards the ultimate goal of preserving and protecting the forests. These initiatives include a number of schemes like Green India Mission, Compensatory Afforestation, Forest Fire Prevention and Management, Project Tiger, Project Elephant, Development of Wildlife Habitats, Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems, Eco Task Force, National Adaptation Fund, National Mission on Himalayan Studies, and Control of Pollution for the conservation of environment, forest and wildlife, among others.

NEZINE Bureau