Meghalaya Faces Significant Forest Cover Loss: ISFR Report 2023

SHILLONG: The India State of Forest Report, released recently, has revealed that Meghalaya has lost over 84 square kilometers of forest cover between 2021 and 2023.

This is an alarming situation that has set off alarms in the northeastern region of India, where most states are experiencing a decline in forested areas.

The ISFR, which was launched by Union Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav at the Forest Research Institute in Dehradun, shows a contrasting national picture with a net increase of 1,445 square kilometers in total forest and tree cover since 2021.

However, except for Sikkim, which reported a modest increase of 2 square kilometers, all other northeastern states recorded reductions in forest area.

The northeastern region accounts for a meager 7.98% of India's land area, yet contributes to 21.08% of the total forest and tree cover of the country. But this trend of decline does worry.

Nagaland had the maximum loss of forest cover in the region at 125.22 square kilometers followed by Tripura at 100.22 sq km, Meghalaya at 84.07 sq km, and Assam at 83.92 sq km.

The ISFR did not identify particular causes for the forest loss in Meghalaya, but state forest officials suspect that human activities have been the main cause.

Agricultural expansion, increasing settlements, and infrastructure projects may have been the reasons behind the encroachment of the forest lands. Moreover, the method of “jhum” cultivation, a traditional slash-and-burn cultivation technique to grow crops such as ginger and broom grass, has further intensified the loss.

The report stated, "Widescale jhum cultivation holds cultural and economic importance for local communities, but its ecological costs are immense."

The findings from the ISFR underline the urgent need for sustainable practices that balance economic growth with ecological preservation. With the diminution of forest cover, the region will face a loss of biodiversity, carbon sequestration capability, and other vital ecosystem services that forests offer.

Strengthened efforts in afforestation, community-based conservation, and innovative farming techniques could help mitigate further forest loss in Meghalaya and the broader northeast region. The challenge lies in fostering development while preserving the ecological treasures that are vital for future generations.

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