Issues with India’s Forest Conservation
Kartavya Desk Staff
Syllabus: Environment Conservation
Source: TH
Context: The article discusses that the exploitation of forest resources due to uncontrolled and unsustainable practices has degraded forest landscapes.
The UN’s Decade of Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030) has spurred global tree-planting initiatives. Despite media attention and public participation, these efforts face criticism in India and world for limited community involvement, poor post-planting care, forest encroachment, reliance on forests for livelihoods, significant forest land loss
and promoting monocultures. Experts argue these methods are less effective for carbon sequestration and biodiversity.
Status of Forests in India:
Definition of Forest: 1996 Godavarman Judgement defines “forest” as any land recorded as such in government records or meeting the dictionary definition, which describes a forest as “a large area covered with trees and undergrowth” according to the Oxford Dictionary.
As per, the India State of Forest Report 2021:
• India’s forest and tree cover constitutes 24.62% of its geographical area, with forests covering 21.71% and tree cover 2.91%.
• Madhya Pradesh has the largest forest cover by area, followed by Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Maharashtra.
• Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, and Nagaland have the highest forest cover as a percentage of the total geographical area.
• States like Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha, Karnataka, and Jharkhand have shown a positive change in forest cover, while others like Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Nagaland, Mizoram, and Meghalaya have experienced a decline.
• India ranks third globally for net gain in average annual forest area between 2010 and 2020, with more than half of the world’s forests located in Russia, Brazil, Canada, the United States, and China.
Significance of Trees:
Significance | Data/Example
Biodiversity Conservation | 47,000 plant species and 81,000 animal species (7% and 6.5% of global flora and fauna)
Climate Change Mitigation | Forests absorb 15% of India’s CO2 emissions (2016). Pledge to create an additional carbon sink of 2.5-3 billion tonnes CO2 equivalent by 2030. Green India Mission aims to increase forest cover by 5 million hectares.
Livelihood Support | Over 250 million people, including tribal communities, depend on forests. Forest Rights Act and Van Dhan Yojana enhance forest-based livelihoods. E.g., Madhya Pradesh’s Tendu Patta collection benefits tribal people.
Ecosystem Services | Provides air purification, soil conservation, and pollination worth trillions of rupees. Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) Initiative influences policies.
Cultural and Spiritual Significance | Supports traditional knowledge and practices. Sacred groves recognized under Biological Diversity Act. Documentation of traditional ecological knowledge in the Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve.
Major Challenges Faced by Forests in India:
Challenge | Details
Deforestation & Degradation | Loss due to development, mining, and agriculture. Forest Survey of India (2021) reported a 1,582 sq km decrease in moderately dense forests.
Human-Wildlife Conflict | Shrinking habitats lead to conflicts, with 500+ people and 100+ elephants dying annually.
Plantation vs. Conservation | Monoculture plantations harm biodiversity and ecosystem health, often lacking post-planting care and monitoring.
Legislative Loopholes | Amendments to the Forest Conservation Act, 1980, potentially open vast areas to deforestation.
Climate Change | Forests face altered precipitation patterns, fires, and pest outbreaks, e.g., 2024 Uttarakhand fires.
Invasive Species | Species like Lantana camara in Western Ghats and Senna spectabilis in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve threaten native biodiversity.
Funding Issues | CAMPA funds for afforestation face underutilization and misallocation.
Shrinking Corridors | Wildlife corridors like Kaziranga-Karbi Anglong and Kanha-Pench are disappearing, affecting animal movement and genetic diversity.
Low Community Participation | Local community involvement ensures long-term sustainability.
Other India-Specific Challenges | Nearly 10 million hectares of India’s forests are affected by encroachment.
Approximately 275 million people rely on forests for their basic needs and livelihood.
Since independence, about 5.7 million hectares of forest land have been repurposed for non-forestry uses.
India faces the daunting task of restoring 26 million hectares of degraded forests by 2030.
What is the Initiative Taken for the Ecosystem Restoration?
• Decade of Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030): The UN aims to restore 350 million hectares of degraded land to enhance ecosystem services and sequester 13-26 gigatons of greenhouse gases.
• Van Mahotsava in India: Launched in 1950 by K.M. Munshi, this annual tree-planting festival occurs in the first week of July, promoting forest growth and engaging public participation.
• Global Tree Planting Initiatives: The “One Trillion Trees Initiative” by the World Economic Forum aims to massively increase global tree cover.
• The “Great Green Wall”of China, aimed at reducing desertification.
• The “Bonn Challenge”, which has a target of restoring 150 million hectares by 2020 and 350 million hectares by 2030.
Way Forward for Forest Conservation in India
• Diverse Plantations: Limit monoculture; diversify native species.
• Urban Greening: Improve air quality, reduce heat islands in cities.
• Long-Term Commitment: Ensure long-term nurturing and care of saplings.
• Integrated Landscape Management: Holistic conservation beyond protected areas.
• Technological Integration: Use advanced tech for forest monitoring.
• Community-Centric Models: Scale up successful community forest management.
• Green Finance: Innovative financing for conservation.
• Urban Forestry: Comprehensive urban biodiversity and green infrastructure.
• Strengthening Governance: Modernize forest departments and build capacity.
• Sustainable Livelihoods: Promote eco-friendly forest-based livelihoods.
• Restoration of Degraded Forests: Nationwide ecological restoration program.
• Indigenous Seed Banks: Preserve local biodiversity for restoration.
• Drone-Seeding: Use drones for reforestation in difficult terrains.
• Combating Forest Fires: Preventative measures, early detection, and rapid response
Insta Links:
• Forest Conservation Amendment Act 2023: Impact on Indigenous Communities
Mains Links:
Q. “The most significant achievement of modern law in India is the constitutionalization of environmental problems by the Supreme Court.” Discuss this statement with the help of relevant case laws. (UPSC 2022)
Q. “Policy contradictions among various competing sectors and stakeholders have resulted in inadequate ‘protection and prevention of degradation’ to the environment.” Comment with relevant illustrations. (UPSC 2018)
Prelims Links:
Consider the following statements: (UPSC 2019)
• As per recent amendment to the Indian Forest Act, 1927, forest dwellers have the right to fell the bamboos grown on forest areas.
• As per the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, bamboo is a minor forest produce.
• The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 allows ownership of minor forest produce to forest dwellers.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: B