GUWAHATI: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued a notice to the central government in response to alarming reports of a significant reduction in Assam's forest cover. Data from the India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2023 reveals that Assam's forest area shrank by 86.66 square kilometre between 2021 and 2023.
The NGT reportedly took suo motu cognisance of the issue following a media report highlighting the environmental crisis. A bench comprising NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and expert member Afroz Ahmad stated the grave implications, including the loss of forest area and a degradation in canopy density affecting an additional 1,699 square kilometre.
The concern extends to other northeastern states, with Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram reporting forest cover losses of 1,084 and 987 square kilometre, respectively. In Tripura, the environmental impact of expanding rubber plantations has further compounded ecological challenges.
The NGT also reportedly said that these declines could indicate potential violations of the Forest Conservation Act and the Environment (Protection) Act. Additionally, the tribunal stressed the broader implications for biodiversity, ecological balance, and climate change mitigation efforts.
To address these concerns, the NGT has reportedly sought responses from the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the principal chief conservators of forests from Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, and Tripura. The officials have been directed to submit detailed reports, with the next hearing scheduled for January 29, as per reports
