CURRENT AFFAIRS
CURRENT AFFAIRS
Description
In recent years, India has been grappling with the issue of forest land encroachment. A report released by the Union Environment Ministry highlights that over 13,056 square kilometers of forest area across the country is currently occupied illegally. This expanse surpasses the combined geographical area of Delhi, Sikkim, and Goa.
Extent Of Encroachment
As of March 2024, forest encroachment spans across 25 states and Union Territories (UTs), with Madhya Pradesh recording the highest affected area at 5,460.9 square kilometers. Assam follows with 3,620.9 square kilometers of encroached land. Other significantly impacted states include Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Arunachal Pradesh.
State-Wise Encroachment Details
The report provides insights into state-wise encroachment levels, revealing that:
Madhya Pradesh and Assam lead in terms of the largest encroached forest areas.
States like Karnataka, Maharashtra, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Mizoram, and Jharkhand also face high encroachment levels.
Smaller-scale encroachments are reported in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, and Punjab.
10 states and Union Territories, including Bihar, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Telangana, West Bengal, Nagaland, Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir, and Ladakh, have not submitted their data.
Categories Of Forest Land In India
India’s forests are broadly classified into three categories:
Reserved Forests – These areas receive the highest level of protection, and activities like hunting, grazing, and deforestation are strictly prohibited.
Protected Forests – These regions allow regulated human activities unless explicitly restricted by law.
Unclassed Forests – These lands lack formal classification and often do not have specific legal protection.
Government Efforts To Tackle Encroachment
Authorities have successfully cleared 409.77 square kilometers of encroached forest land. However, it remains unclear whether this figure is deducted from the total encroached area. The Union Environment Ministry has consistently urged states to submit updated data, issuing reminders and conducting meetings to ensure better monitoring and reporting.
Environmental And Societal Impact
Encroachment on forest lands poses severe threats to biodiversity, ecosystem balance, and climate stability. The loss of forest cover not only contributes to deforestation and environmental degradation but also affects local communities that rely on forests for their livelihood. Addressing this challenge is crucial to ensuring sustainable development and conservation efforts in India.
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