GUWAHATI: Assam has recorded the highest encroachment of forest land among Indian states, with over 2.13 lakh hectares occupied illegally.
ALSO READ: Assam MERD Portfolio Modified As Atal Amrit Abhiyan Replaces Ayushman Bharat
This was revealed in an annexure recently provided in the Lok Sabha, as the information was shared in response to an unstarred question regarding forest land encroachment.
The data revealed that Assam leads the country in forest encroachment, followed by Arunachal Pradesh (53,499.96 ha) and Maharashtra (57,554.87 ha). Other states with significant encroachment include Odisha (40,507.56 ha) and Chhattisgarh (16,891.23 ha).
This issue has become a major concern for environmentalists and policymakers due to its impact on biodiversity and forest conservation.
To tackle these alarming levels of encroachment, state forest departments have been implementing modern technology such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS), remote sensing, and GPS tracking.
Additionally, joint forest management committees have been set up at the village level to involve local communities in conservation efforts.