1.73 lakh hectares of Indian forests diverted for projects

Over the past nine years, a significant area of forest land has been diverted for non-forestry purposes in India. The government reported that 173,396.87 hectares were cleared for infrastructure and other projects from 2014-15 to 2023-24. Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav provided this information in response to a question in Lok Sabha. He explained that the diversion was executed under the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam of 1980. This law allows for forest land to be repurposed for development while ensuring some environmental protections. Yadav also addressed concerns about the scientific accuracy of forest reports. He said that the latest India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2023 uses advanced technology for mapping forest cover. This includes satellite imagery with better resolution compared to older reports. He noted that the Forest Survey of India (FSI) has improved its methods and increased ground truthing to ensure accurate data. Additionally, Minister of State for Environment Kirti Vardhan Singh mentioned that from 2021-22 to 2023-24, another 59,882.07 hectares of forest land were approved for various non-forestry uses. Madhya Pradesh saw the most significant diversion during this period. Officials emphasized the responsibility of state governments in managing and conserving forest resources. They acknowledged that while development projects affect the environment, there are measures in place to mitigate these impacts. Legal frameworks exist to protect forests, and state governments are tasked with implementing them.