Assam Government Identifies Key Factors Behind Forest Cover Decline
Forest Cover Loss in Assam: Key Insights
The state government stated Jhum cultivation, encroachment and development works as key factors for forest cover loss
Guwahati, Nov 3: The Assam government has pinpointed shifting cultivation, encroachment along state borders, and the conversion of forest land for development as primary reasons for the recent decrease in the state's forest cover.
In a statement submitted to the National Green Tribunal (NGT), the government reported a loss of 86.66 square kilometers of forest cover from 2021 to 2023 within its Recorded Forest Area (RFA), as highlighted in the India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2023.
Despite this decline, the government emphasized that Assam has seen a net increase of 748.65 square kilometers in forest cover since 2013, reflecting a growth rate of 2.72 percent over the past decade.
The NGT had initiated proceedings on its own accord after a news article in 2024 raised concerns about the diminishing forest cover in the area.
According to the state, the Dima Hasao district experienced the most significant loss, primarily due to traditional jhum cultivation practices in Unclassed State Forest (USF) areas, which fall outside the forest department's jurisdiction.
Furthermore, the government noted that 95.55 square kilometers of forest land in Dima Hasao was repurposed for development projects between 2020 and 2025.
In the Cachar and Hailakandi districts, which each saw a reduction of over 16 square kilometers, the government attributed this to severe encroachment from the neighboring state of Mizoram.
Chirang district, with a forest cover loss of approximately 14 square kilometers, faced encroachment from local indigenous groups, prompting the government to initiate eviction efforts.
The government claimed that over 100 square kilometers of encroached forest land has been cleared but has yet to regenerate, arguing that the actual forest loss is minimal or nonexistent.
However, a report from an amicus curiae highlighted significant institutional and administrative hurdles in Assam's forest conservation strategies.
This report pointed out the forest department's limited control over USF and the challenges posed by inter-state boundary disputes, which hinder effective conservation efforts.
It also noted that the diversion of forest land for infrastructure projects is a widespread issue in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and Mizoram, emphasizing that compensatory afforestation should focus on restoring viable ecosystems with native species.
To tackle forest loss due to inter-state encroachment, the amicus curiae suggested forming a joint committee with representatives from the Union Environment Ministry, Survey of India, and the forest departments of Assam and Mizoram. This committee would assess encroachment levels, identify contributing factors to forest loss, and propose solutions to prevent future disputes.
Additionally, the report recommended establishing a dedicated policy framework for sustainable management of USF in collaboration with local autonomous councils.
Among other suggestions, it called for a comprehensive monitoring and auditing system for compensatory afforestation initiatives, focusing on survival rates of plantations, species selection, and ecological viability.
Lastly, it stressed the importance of supporting communities engaged in shifting cultivation by providing sustainable agricultural alternatives and livelihood options to lessen their reliance on forest clearing.