Delhi: Forest land more than city’s total area diverted for development projects in 10 years, say govt data

India has diverted 1,734 square kilometres of forest land, an area significantly larger than the geographical size of Delhi, for developmental activities over the past decade, according to government data.

Responding to a question in the Lok Sabha, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav stated that 1,73,396.87 hectares (equivalent to 1.73 lakh hectares) of forest land was approved for non-forest use between 2014-15 and 2023-24 under the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980. This land was primarily allocated for infrastructure and development projects in Delhi.

Madhya Pradesh, which boasts the largest forest cover in the country at 77,073 square kilometres, diverted the highest amount of forest land during this period, with 385.52 square kilometres approved for non-forest use. Odisha followed, diverting 244 square kilometres, while Telangana diverted 114.22 square kilometres. Gujarat and Arunachal Pradesh diverted 99.85 square kilometres and 94.95 square kilometres, respectively.

Rajasthan, despite having one of the lowest forest covers, diverted 87.96 square kilometres for non-forest purposes in the past decade. Maharashtra diverted approximately 85 square kilometres, Jharkhand 83.53 square kilometres, Chhattisgarh 79.25 square kilometres, and Uttar Pradesh 70.59 square kilometres. Uttarakhand diverted 64.71 square kilometres, while Andhra Pradesh approved the diversion of 54.55 square kilometres.

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Despite the large-scale diversion of forest land, India’s overall forest cover has increased. According to the biennial India State of Forests Report, the country’s forest cover expanded from 6,98,712.36 square kilometres in 2013 to 7,15,342.61 square kilometres in 2023.