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31 Jan 2025

India's Forests Face Persistent Threats: Nagaland Incident Highlights Ongoing Challenges
India's Forests Face Persistent Threats: Nagaland Incident Highlights Ongoing Challenges

India's forests, covering an area of over 31.50 million hectares, have experienced a net change in tree cover that reflects both losses and gains. Over the years, the country has seen a net increase in tree cover by approximately 1.32%, with a gain of about 1.88 million hectares offsetting the loss of over 1 million hectares. However, disturbances have affected over 6.17 million hectares, indicating ongoing challenges to forest stability.

The latest incident in Nagaland, India, with a single fire alert reported on January 31, 2025, is a stark reminder of the persistent threats facing India's forests. While the number of incidents may seem minimal, the historical data paints a concerning picture of the cumulative impact of various drivers of tree cover loss.

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Shifting agriculture and forestry activities have been significant contributors to tree cover loss, with forestry alone responsible for a substantial portion of the total loss over the years. Wildfires, although contributing to a smaller fraction of the loss, and urbanization also pose significant risks to the health and extent of India's forests.

The trend over the years has shown fluctuating levels of tree cover loss, with some years witnessing higher losses due to specific drivers. The data underscores the importance of continued vigilance and efforts to mitigate the factors leading to forest degradation and loss.

As India continues to balance development with environmental conservation, the incident in Nagaland serves as a reminder of the delicate interplay between human activities and natural ecosystems. The ongoing challenges to India's forests call for sustained and collaborative efforts to ensure the preservation and growth of these vital green spaces.

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