Guwahati: The National Green Tribunal has sought a response from the central government regarding the alarming decline in Assam‘s forest cover, which has decreased by 83.92 square kilometers between 2021 and 2023.
This decline was highlighted by the 2023 India State of Forest Report.
Taking suo-motu cognizance of a media report citing the decline, the NGT bench, led by Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava, noted that the degradation in canopy density within Assam’s recorded forests has intensified, marked by a reduction in forest density and quality across 1,699 sq. km.
In an order dated January 22, the bench said, “As per the article, in Assam, the decrease in forest cover is particularly notable within the recorded forest area, which saw a reduction of 86.66 square kilometres.”
In addition to the issues raised in Assam, the bench drew attention to deforestation concerns in other northeastern states like Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram.
The bench also expressed serious concerns about the detrimental environmental effects of rubber plantations in Tripura.
The tribunal stated that the report revealed violations of the Forest Conservation Act and the Environment (Protection) Act and flagged ‘substantial issues’ regarding compliance with environmental regulations.
The green body has sought responses from relevant environmental authorities, including the Ministry of Environment and forest chiefs of the affected states.
The tribunal impleaded the secretary of the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the principal chief conservators of forests of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura, and Mizoram as respondents in the case.
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The tribunal issued notices to all respondents, instructing them to file their responses within a specified timeframe.
The top officials have been urged to respond by January 29.
