All states and Union Territories have been directed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) to respond regarding the reported loss of 2.33 million hectares of forest cover since 2000, emphasizing the issue’s “pan-India” scope. This nationwide tree cover loss has raised significant environmental concerns, prompting the tribunal to take action. A panel comprising expert member Afroz Ahmad and judicial member Justice Sudhir Agarwal heard the case.

In its November 18 order, the tribunal referred to submissions by the Survey of India and instructed the Forest Survey of India (FSI) to prepare a report detailing forest cover changes across India, focusing on the northeastern region. The data spans the years 2000–March 2024, with five-year intervals.

States and UTs to Submit Reports on Nationwide Tree Cover Loss

In addition, the tribunal ordered all states and UTs to submit thorough reports on the decline in tree cover. The present state of forests, the causes of the decline, and an action report on conservation and management initiatives should all be included in these reports.

Given the issue’s national scale, the NGT invited all states and UTs to participate in responses. The initiative aims to address the widespread impacts of nationwide tree cover loss by compiling data and evaluating region-specific conservation efforts.

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Dispute Over Data Accuracy

The Forest Survey of India (FSI) and the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) have denied the conclusions of Global Forest Watch, which said that India had lost almost 6% of its forest cover since 2000, while the NGT investigates the alleged loss of tree cover. Concerns over nationwide tree cover loss have led to debates about the reliability of data sources, with the MoEFCC and FSI stating that the figures contradict official assessments.

The NGT aims to create a trustworthy record of the country’s forest cover patterns and guarantee efficient conservation actions by requiring comprehensive reporting from the FSI and state-level authorities.

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