Where Have All the Forests Gone?
India is losing forests at an alarming rate, with 13,056 sq km vanishing due to encroachments. A report to the National Green Tribunal reveals a sharp rise in deforestation across 25 states, raising urgent concerns about biodiversity loss, climate change, and lax enforcement.
One might think that in a country as vast as India, losing track of a few trees is hardly cause for alarm. But when 13,056 square kilometres of forestland—an area larger than Delhi, Sikkim, and Goa combined—vanishes under a wave of encroachments, it’s safe to say we’ve got ourselves a proper pickle. According to a report submitted to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) by the Union Environment Ministry, it appears our forests are disappearing faster than biscuits at a tea party.
Back in April 2023, the NGT, in a moment of righteous indignation, ordered the ministry to round up some solid numbers on forest encroachments. At the time, the official tally stood at a modest 7,506.48 square kilometres—still over five times the size of Delhi, but manageable if one squinted and pretended it wasn’t happening. Fast forward to March 2024, and lo and behold, the figure has nearly doubled. Either our forests are proving to be quite the hot property, or someone’s been busy with a chainsaw and a keen sense of ambition.
The usual suspects? A grand total of 25 states and union territories, including Assam, Maharashtra, Odisha, and even the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, have fessed up to their share of the problem. Meanwhile, ten states—including West Bengal, Bihar, and Himachal Pradesh—are yet to submit their data, leaving us all in suspense. One might hope they’re just taking their time to craft a truly spectacular excuse, but the reality is likely far grimmer.
For those unfamiliar with the bureaucratic parlance of forestry, the Recorded Forest Area (RFA) is divided into three neat categories: Reserved Forests, where even thinking about cutting down a tree is probably frowned upon; Protected Forests, where one might be allowed to pick a berry or two provided they fill out the requisite paperwork; and Unclassed Forests, which, judging by the scale of encroachments, appear to be fair game for all and sundry.
Now, before we dismiss this as just another case of administrative negligence, let’s consider the grim consequences. Deforestation isn’t merely about a few lost trees—it’s a wrecking ball to biodiversity, a slap in the face to climate change mitigation, and an open invitation for natural disasters to come waltzing in. Given that we’re already flirting dangerously with environmental catastrophe, one might argue that this is precisely the sort of thing that warrants immediate and decisive action. And yet, here we are, waiting on missing data while the forests quietly disappear under our noses.
Environmentalists, of course, are up in arms, calling for stricter enforcement and conservation efforts. But until both state and central authorities treat this crisis with the urgency of a house on fire, we may find ourselves with fewer forests and far more regrets. And frankly, if our idea of progress involves replacing ancient woodlands with a few extra parking lots and shopping complexes, then it’s time to reassess exactly where we’re heading—and whether there’ll be any trees left to shade us when we get there.
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