Maharashtra’s Forest Cover Shrinks by 54.5 Sqkm in Two Years: ISFR 2023 Report Sparks Concern

1. Maharashtra is facing a concerning decline in forest cover, with a loss of 54.5 sqkm over the past two years.
2. The state’s total forest cover now stands at 50,858 sqkm, representing just 16.53% of the geographical area.
3. Palghar and Nandurbar are among the regions experiencing the highest losses, with significant deforestation for agricultural expansion.
4. On the bright side, Ratnagiri and Thane have seen gains in forest cover due to focused plantation efforts.
5. Urbanization and infrastructure projects in cities like Pune are major contributors to deforestation in Maharashtra.
6. Forest fires have also been a growing concern, with Maharashtra reporting 16,008 incidents between November 2023 and June 2024.
7. Experts are calling for stronger conservation policies, afforestation initiatives, community engagement, and sustainable development planning to address the forest cover decline.
8. Collaborative efforts from policymakers, experts, and communities are needed to reverse this trend and protect Maharashtra’s ecological heritage for future generations.

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