Global Forest Watch

General Studies Paper-3

Context: India lost 18,200 hectares (ha) of primary forest in 2024 compared to 17,700 hectares in 2023, according to new data from Global Forest Watch (GFW).

Global Findings

• Tropical primary forest loss: 6.7 million hectares lost globally – nearly double 2023’s figures.
• Fires Surpass Agriculture as Leading Cause: For the first time in over two decades, fires became the primary driver of tropical forest loss, accounting for nearly 50% of the total.
• The combination of climate change and El Niño led to record-breaking heat and drought, creating conditions ripe for wildfires.
• Regional Impacts: Brazil accounted for 42% of global tropical forest loss.
• Bolivia experienced a 200% increase in forest loss, surpassing the Democratic Republic of Congo for the first time.

Indian Findings

• Overall Tree Cover Loss Decreases: India saw a 6.9% decrease in total tree cover loss between 2023 and 2024, indicating some progress in forest conservation efforts.
• Increase in Humid Primary Forest Loss: Contrarily, humid primary forest loss increased by 5.9% in 2024, highlighting ongoing challenges in preserving old-growth forests.
• Surge in Fire-Related Forest Loss: Fire-induced primary forest loss escalated to 950 hectares in 2024, marking a 158% increase from the previous year.
• Regional Hotspots: The Northeastern states, including Assam, Nagaland, and Mizoram, have been the most affected, primarily due to shifting cultivation, agricultural expansion, and logging.
• According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation: India had the second highest rate of deforestation in the world between 2015 and 2020, losing about 6,68,000 hectares of forest per year.

What are India’s Initiatives to Combat Forest Loss?

• Policy and Legislative Measures:
  • Forest Conservation Act, 1980 (Amended 2023): Regulates the diversion of forest land for non-forest purposes, with recent amendments aiming to streamline processes.
  • National Forest Policy, 1988: Aims to maintain at least 33% of India’s geographical area under forest or tree cover.
  • Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act, 2016 (CAMPA): Ensures funds collected from forest land diversion are used for afforestation and eco-restoration.
• Afforestation and Reforestation Programs:
  • Green India Mission: Part of the National Action Plan on Climate Change, focusing on enhancing forest cover and ecosystem services.
  • State-Level Initiatives: For instance, Uttar Pradesh’s plan to plant 35 crore saplings in 2025 to increase green cover.
• Community Engagement and Rights:
  • Joint Forest Management (JFM): Collaborative management of forests involving local communities and forest departments.
  • Forest Rights Act, 2006: Recognizes the rights of forest-dwelling communities, empowering them to manage and conserve forests.
• Technological Interventions:
  • Satellite Monitoring: Utilization of satellite data for real-time monitoring of forest cover and illegal activities.
  • Mobile Applications: Development of apps like ‘My Plants’ to record plantation data and engage the public in afforestation efforts.
• International Collaborations:
  • Forest-PLUS 3.0: A U.S.-India initiative aimed at strengthening sustainable forestry practices and enhancing climate resilience.

Way Ahead

• Empower Local Communities: Accelerate the recognition of Community Forest Resource (CFR) rights under the Forest Rights Act, 2006, ensuring that forest-dwelling communities have legal authority to manage and conserve their traditional forests.
• Leverage Technology for Monitoring and Management: Implement AI-based systems and satellite imagery for real-time monitoring of forest health, wildlife movements, and illegal activities, enhancing responsiveness and enforcement.
• Strengthen Legal and Policy Frameworks: Critically assess recent amendments to the Forest Conservation Act to ensure they balance development needs with ecological preservation, maintaining stringent protections for primary forests.
• Promote Sustainable Livelihoods and Eco-Tourism: Encourage agroforestry practices that integrate tree cultivation with agriculture, providing economic benefits to farmers while enhancing green cover.