173K ha forests cleared in 9 years, Lok Sabha knowledgeable

An space bigger than NCT of Delhi was diverted for varied non-forestry functions together with infrastructure initiatives between 2014-15 and 2023-24, the Union setting ministry has knowledgeable Lok Sabha on Monday.

The forest space measuring 173,396.87 hectares was transferred beneath the provisions of Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980, Union setting minister, Bhupender Yadav mentioned in a written response to question raised by CPI(ML) MP Raja Ram Singh.

Yadav mentioned the Forest Survey of India’s first report of 1987 used LANDSAT-MSS satellite tv for pc knowledge with a spatial decision of 80m at 1:1 million scale, whereas the newest report the Indian State of Forests Report (ISFR), 2023 is predicated on Resourcesat-2 LISS III satellite tv for pc picture, with a spatial decision of 23. m and scale of 1:50,000. “FSI has at all times stored tempo with technological developments and improved its evaluation through the years. Additional, the Nationwide Forest Stock programme of FSI is predicated on a sturdy statistical design beneath which yearly subject stock knowledge is collected from about 20,000 pattern plots unfold over your entire nation. To make sure scientific accuracy, transparency, dependable floor truthing and proper evaluation of forest cowl, FSI elevated its floor truthing factors from 3,414 in ISFR 2021 to eight,494 in ISFR 2023,” he added, whereas acknowledging that forest cowl mapping for preparation of ISFR encompasses all kinds of lands with out regard to their possession, land use, or authorized standing. The methodology utilized by the Forest Survey of India for evaluation of forest cowl is predicated on internationally accepted standards as per Kyoto Protocol and contains all lands, greater than 1 hectare in space, with a cover of greater than 10% no matter possession and authorized standing, he clarified.

Specialists have been essential of India’s forest cowl knowledge as a result of it counts farms, orchards, plantations and so forth as forests attributable to its ambiguous definition.

In a written response to a different query on forest land diversion, Kirti Vardhan Singh, minister of state for setting mentioned that between 2021-22 and 2023-24, forest space measuring 59,882.07 ha was accredited for use for varied non-forestry functions together with infrastructure initiatives.

The information exhibits the most important forest space was diverted from Madhya Pradesh (14157.02 ha) throughout the interval.

Singh was responding to questions by INC MP, MK Vishnu Prasad.

Singh mentioned accountability of conserving forests lies with state governments: “The safety and administration of forest and tree assets is primarily the accountability of the involved State Authorities/Union Territory Administration. There are authorized frameworks for the safety and administration of forest and tree assets which embody, the Indian Forest Act 1927, and the State Forest Acts and Guidelines. The State Governments /UT Administrations take acceptable actions to guard forests and bushes as per the provisions made beneath these Acts/ Guidelines.”