Forest land diverted: Over 300,000 hectares affected over 15 years

Over the past 15 years, more than three lakh hectares of forest land in India have been diverted for non-forestry purposes under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, as revealed by Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav in the Lok Sabha on Monday.

The government data presented during the session highlighted that Punjab leads in this diversion with 61,318 hectares of forest land converted since 2008-09, followed by Madhya Pradesh (40,627 hectares), Odisha (28,320 hectares), Telangana (19,419 hectares), and Gujarat (16,070 hectares).

Forest land diversion for non-forestry use across states in India has been substantial, with Madhya Pradesh leading the trend by diverting 40,627 hectares of forest land, followed by Odisha (28,320 hectares), Telangana (19,419 hectares), and Gujarat (16,070 hectares).

Other states also witnessed significant forest area diversion, including Jharkhand (15,691 hectares), Chhattisgarh (15,082 hectares), Uttarakhand (14,141 hectares), Maharashtra (13,297 hectares), Rajasthan (12,877 hectares), Arunachal Pradesh (12,778 hectares), and Andhra Pradesh (11,093 hectares).

The primary reasons for land diversion encompassed mining (58,282 hectares), road construction (45,326 hectares), irrigation (36,620 hectares), transmission lines (26,124 hectares), defense (24,337 hectares), hydel projects (13,136 hectares), railways (9,307 hectares), thermal power (4,101 hectares), and wind power infrastructure (2,181 hectares).

During this period, approximately 514 hectares of land faced encroachment. The government approved forest land diversion of 17,381 hectares in 2022-23, 16,785 hectares in 2021-22, 18,314 hectares in 2020-21, 17,392 hectares in 2019-20, 19,359 hectares in 2018-19, and 19,592 hectares in 2017-18.

The data further revealed diversions of 7,467 hectares in 2016-17, 15,241 hectares in 2015-16, 13,045 hectares in 2014-15, 20,045 hectares in 2013-14, 13,978 hectares in 2012-13, 14,841 hectares in 2011-12, 23,117 hectares in 2010-11, 76,743 hectares in 2009-10 (the maximum in the last 15 years), and 12,701 hectares in 2008-09.

Yadav acknowledged that during this period, 514 hectares of land had also been encroached upon. The government's approval for forest land diversion was as follows: 17,381 hectares in 2022-23, 16,785 hectares in 2021-22, 18,314 hectares in 2020-21, 17,392 hectares in 2019-20, 19,359 hectares in 2018-19, and 19,592 hectares in 2017-18. The data also revealed significant forest land diversion in the preceding years.

India's forest cover currently spans 7,13,789 square kilometers, equivalent to 21.71% of the nation's total geographic area. The Forest (Conservation) Act of 1980 ensures sustainable utilization of forest resources while maintaining environmental protection.

The recent amendment to the Act narrows its scope to lands recorded as forest in government records and exempts specific land categories, a move criticized by conservationists. They argue that this amendment could affect forest-dependent communities and exacerbate ecological risks. Concerns also arise about the impact on the rights of indigenous groups and marginalized communities, as well as unchecked deforestation in sensitive areas.

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