India has experienced a significant environmental setback, losing 2.33 million hectares of tree cover since 2000. This substantial decrease, equivalent to a six percent decline in tree cover over the past two decades, was highlighted in the latest data from the Global Forest Watch (GFW) monitoring project.
Key Findings
The GFW data reveals that the majority of the tree cover loss, approximately 95 percent from 2013 to 2023, occurred within natural forests. The highest annual loss was recorded in 2017, with 189,000 hectares of tree cover vanishing in that year alone. Other significant losses occurred in 2016 and 2023, with 175,000 and 144,000 hectares lost respectively【107†source】【110†source】.
Regional Impact
The tree cover loss has been particularly severe in five states, which together accounted for 60 percent of the total loss between 2001 and 2023. Assam led with 324,000 hectares lost, followed by Mizoram with 312,000 hectares, Arunachal Pradesh with 262,000 hectares, Nagaland with 259,000 hectares, and Manipur with 240,000 hectares【108†source】【109†source】.
Environmental and Climatic Consequences
The deforestation has led to significant carbon emissions, with India’s forests emitting an average of 51 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per year between 2001 and 2022. This loss has profound implications for climate change, as forests play a critical role in carbon sequestration, absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere when they are standing or regrowing【110†source】.
NGT’s Response
In response to this alarming data, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has taken suo moto action, seeking a detailed response from the Central Government. The NGT has called for urgent measures to address the ongoing deforestation and implement effective conservation strategies to protect and restore India’s tree cover【107†source】【110†source】.
Conclusion
The significant loss of tree cover in India underscores the urgent need for comprehensive environmental policies and actions to mitigate deforestation and its adverse effects on the ecosystem and climate. The NGT’s involvement highlights the importance of judicial oversight in environmental protection, urging the government to take decisive steps in preserving the nation’s natural heritage.