GUWAHATI: The National Green Tribunal has asked the central government to respond to the loss of 83.92 square kilometers of forest cover in Assam between 2021 and 2023. This decline was highlighted in the 2023 India State of Forest Report.
The NGT bench, led by Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava, took note of a media report on the issue. It noted that the quality and density of forests in Assam have declined, with a significant reduction in forest cover over 1,699 square kilometers.
In an order dated January 22, the bench stated, “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.”
Along with the issues in Assam, the bench also highlighted deforestation concerns in other northeastern states such as Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram. The bench also raised serious concerns about the harmful environmental impact of rubber plantations in Tripura.
The tribunal said the report revealed violations of the Forest Conservation Act and the Environment (Protection) Act, pointing out serious problems with following environmental rules.
The green body has requested responses from the relevant environmental authorities, including the Ministry of Environment and the forest chiefs of the affected states. The tribunal made the secretary of the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, along with the principal chief conservators of forests of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura, and Mizoram, respondents in the case.
The tribunal issued notices to all respondents, directing them to submit their responses within a specified time frame. The top officials have been asked to respond by January 29.