New Delhi: In a written reply to the Lok Sabha on Monday, Minister of State for Environment Kirti Vardhan Singh informed Parliament that over 1.73 lakh hectares of forest land have been diverted for non-forestry purposes between April 1, 2014, and March 31, 2024.
The diversion of forest land was approved under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, which has since been amended and renamed the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980.
Breakdown of Diversions: Mining and Hydropower Lead
According to the data presented, a total of 1,73,984.3 hectares of forest land was cleared for various infrastructure and industrial projects across the country during the 10-year period. The highest share of this diversion — over 40,096.17 hectares — was allocated to mining and quarrying projects, marking them as the top contributor to deforestation among all project categories.
Hydropower, irrigation, linear infrastructure (such as roads, railways, and transmission lines), and defence-related projects also accounted for significant portions of the land diversion.
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Concerns Over Environmental Impact
Environmentalists and forest rights activists have repeatedly raised alarms over the growing trend of diverting ecologically sensitive areas for industrial purposes. Forest land diversion, especially in biodiversity-rich and tribal-dominated regions, has long-term implications for:
- Wildlife habitats
- Water security
- Climate regulation
- Indigenous livelihoods
The diversion of over 1.73 lakh hectares during a decade of intensified infrastructure push has sparked fresh concerns over India’s ability to balance development with environmental sustainability.
Policy Shift and New Legislation
The Forest (Conservation) Act of 1980 — now renamed as Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam — underwent significant amendments in 2023 to “streamline” the approval process for infrastructure projects. The government has maintained that these changes are aimed at promoting ease of doing business, while ensuring that “compensatory afforestation” mechanisms are in place.
Critics, however, argue that compensatory afforestation cannot replicate the ecological value of natural forests, especially when old-growth forests or wildlife corridors are involved.
India’s Forest Cover Goals in Focus
India has committed to increasing its forest and tree cover to 33% of the total geographical area, in line with the National Forest Policy, and has made international pledges under the Paris Agreement and other climate commitments.
However, the diversion data appears at odds with those goals. As infrastructure development accelerates under various national schemes — including Gati Shakti, Bharatmala, and power corridor projects — forest conservation will continue to be tested.
What Lies Ahead?
While the Environment Ministry continues to defend its forest clearance protocols as “scientific, transparent, and accountable”, environmental groups are calling for greater scrutiny, more rigorous ecological assessments, and community consent in diversion decisions.
The debate between development and conservation is likely to intensify further, especially as India positions itself as a global manufacturing hub and seeks to expand its renewable energy infrastructure — both of which require large tracts of land.
