Large-scale encroachments reduce the forest land cover in Maharashtra
Deforestation and land erosion had reduced the forest cover in the last few years. However the afforestation moves taken by the government and the forest officials had helped to improve the situation and the country has recorded an increase of 5,871 square km in its forest cover in the past two years. West Bengal alone had contributed 60 % of the total rise. However Maharashtra lost 14 square km of forest area (1,400 hectares) in the past two years.
The minister of state for environment Prakash Javadekar on Tuesday released the India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2013. This loss of cover is attributed to large-scale encroachments which might include the forceful acquisition of land under Forest Rights Act (FRA).
The forest department in Maharashtra always claimed about successful plantations and better management however have not been able to improve the numbers and in the last two years Maharashtra is continuously losing the cover.
It lost 4 square km (400 hectares) in 2011, which was in addition to the 11 square km in 2009. However, area wise, the state stands fourth in forest cover. Madhya Pradesh with 77,522 square km stands at the first position, Arunachal Pradesh with 67,321 square km is at the second position and Chhattisgarh with 55,621 square km is at the third position.
Source- The Times of India
Deforestation, environment minister prakash javadekar, Forest Rights Act, large scale encroachment, Prakash Javadekar
