India's Forest Lands Sacrificed for Development: A Decade of Diversion

In the past decade, India diverted 1,733 square kilometres of forest land for development, a size larger than Delhi. Major contributors to this diversion come from Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and Telangana, among others, primarily for infrastructure projects under the Van Adhiniyam of 1980.

In a decade-long stretch, India has reassigned over 1,733 square kilometres of forest land for development purposes, eclipsing the geographical expanse of Delhi. This data, furnished by the government, underscores a nationwide trend in land diversion for infrastructure growth.

Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, speaking at the Lok Sabha, detailed that approximately 1.73 lakh hectares have been approved for non-forest usage from 2014-15 to 2023-24. These conversions primarily benefit infrastructure projects, proceeding under the regulatory Van Adhiniyam, 1980.

Madhya Pradesh leads this trend with the largest forest area diversions, closely followed by states like Odisha, Telangana, and Gujarat. Notably, even states with minimal forest coverage, such as Rajasthan, have contributed to this movement, underlining the nationwide scale of this developmental push.

(With inputs from agencies.)