State of Forest Report : Western Ghats Lose 58.22 Sq Km of Forest Cover

State of Forest Report : The latest State of Forest Report (SOFR) 2023 reveals that the Western Ghats have lost 58.22 sq km of forest cover over the past decade. The report, released on December 21 by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), highlights significant changes in the region’s forest density.

Hadapsar Railway Station Revamp : ₹135 Cr Project Brings Airport-Style Amenities

While the very dense forest area in the Western Ghats increased by 3,465.12 sq km, moderately dense forests and open forests decreased by 1,043.23 sq km and 2,480.11 sq km, respectively. The findings underscore concerns about land alteration and development activities in this vital biodiversity hotspot, which spans across six states—Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu.

This 2023 India State of Forest Report is the 18th edition in the series, produced biennially by the Forest Survey of India (FSI). The report offers in-depth analysis of the country’s forest and tree resources, based on satellite data and field-based assessments. According to the report, India’s total forest and tree cover now spans 827,357 sq km, representing 25.17% of the country’s geographical area.

The Western Ghats, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, cover around 60,285.61 sq km, a significant portion of which falls within the Western Ghats Eco-Sensitive Area (WGESA). The area has been subjected to various land-use changes due to development projects, which have contributed to the decline in forest cover, particularly in the moderately dense and open forest categories.

Anoop Singh, Director General of FSI, explained that this year’s report includes a detailed forest cover change matrix, offering clearer insights into the changes in forest cover inside and outside designated forest areas. The report also includes forest cover data for 751 districts, including newly formed ones, compared to 636 districts in the 2021 report.

Despite the loss of forest cover, the increasing trend in very dense forests suggests some positive developments, although the broader trend of declining open and moderately dense forests in the Western Ghats remains a cause for concern.

TOP NEWS MARATHI LIVE : खातेवाटप झाले, चेहरे उजळून निघाले! 1995, 2014 चे चेहरेही मंत्रिमंडळात!