**Summary:**
In response to concerns raised in Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2477 regarding increased deforestation and human-wildlife conflict due to developmental projects, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) addressed the issues on 04.08.2025. The Ministry, represented by Minister of State Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh, stated that proposals for diverting forest land for non-forestry purposes are evaluated under the Van Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan Adhiniyam, 1980. The Central Government, guided by recommendations from the Advisory Committee or Regional Empowered Committee, assesses the holistic impact of developmental proposals on forests and biodiversity. Mandatory compensatory afforestation and Net Present Value (NPV) realization are stipulated to offset forest and tree cover loss. Diversion of forest land is also contingent upon implementing mitigation measures, including Soil and Moisture Conservation, Wildlife Conservation (including human-wildlife conflict mitigation), and Catchment Area Treatment. The MoEFCC cited the India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2023, which indicates a net increase of 16,630.25 square kilometers in forest cover between ISFR 2013 and ISFR 2023. This data suggests that forest cover has been maintained and has increased over the last decade due to the implementation of various policies, programs, and conservation efforts by States/Union Territories.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change: The Indian government ministry responsible for environmental protection and conservation.
SHRI SANATAN PANDEY: Member of LOK SABHA who raised the question about deforestation.
SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH: Minister of State in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, who provided the answer.
Van Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan Adhiniyam, 1980: A law concerning the conservation and management of forests in India.
Advisory Committee: A committee constituted under the Van Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan Adhiniyam, 1980 to provide recommendations on proposals for forest land diversion.
Regional Empowered Committee: A committee constituted under the Van Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan Adhiniyam, 1980 to provide recommendations on proposals for forest land diversion.
India State of Forest Report ISFR, 2023: A report providing an assessment of the forest cover in India.
StatesUTs: States and Union Territories of India responsible for implementing conservation efforts.
OIH
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2477
TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.08.2025
Increase in Deforestation
2477. SHRI SANATAN PANDEY:
Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to
state:
(a) whether it is a fact that deforestation has increased due to developmental projects,
which has resulted in loss of biodiversity;
(b) whether it is also a fact that incidents of human-wildlife conflict have increased due to
interference in the wildlife habitats; and
(c) if so, the measures taken by the Government to conserve forests and protect
biodiversity along with the assessment of their effectiveness?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND
CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)
(a) to (c) The proposals for diversion of forest land for various non-forestry purposes
including infrastructure are considered as per the provisions of Van (Sanrakshan
Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980. Based on the recommendation of the
Advisory Committee or Regional Empowered Committee, constituted under the
Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980 and Rules made
thereunder, the Central Government appraise the developmental proposals
holistically including their impacts on forests and biodiversity.
Compensatory afforestation and realization of Net Present Value (NPV) are
stipulated mandatorily by the Central Government while allowing diversion of
forest land to compensate the loss of forest and tree cover. In addition to this, the
diversion of forest land is also subject to the implementation of other mitigation
measures such as Soil and Moisture Conservation activities, Wildlife
Conservation measures, including mitigation of human wildlife conflict,
Catchment Area Treatment etc.
As per India State of Forest Report (ISFR), 2023, there has been a net increase of
16,630.25 square kilometer in forest cover during last ten years in the country
between ISFR 2013 and ISFR 2023. Hence, the forest cover of the country is not
only maintained but has shown net increase over the last decade due to
implementation of various policies and programs including conservation efforts
made by the respective States/UTs.
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