Vidarbha Forest Cover Grows by 128.4 Sq Km, But Key Districts See Major Losses
The India State of Forest Report 2023 (ISFR-2023) shows a modest rise in Vidarbha’s forest cover by 128.4 sq km, taking the region’s total forested area to 24.05% of its geographical area, up from 23.91% in the previous report (ISFR-2021). Despite this overall increase, eight of the 11 districts in Vidarbha have experienced a decline in forest cover over the past two years.
Forest Cover Increase in Some Districts
While most districts saw a reduction, a few districts reported gains in forest cover:
- Amravati: Increased by 1.10 sq km.
- Bhandara: Saw an 8.31 sq km rise.
- Gondia: Gained 3.40 sq km.
These increases, however, were offset by losses in other parts of the region.
Some of Vidarbha’s major districts witnessed significant reductions in forest cover:
- Gadchiroli, despite having the highest forest cover in the state (10,015.48 sq km), saw a dramatic 20% decline in its forest area over the last two years.
- Nagpur, with a large portion of the state’s electricity production, experienced a 3.24% drop, now covering 2,005.57 sq km.
- Chandrapur, home to the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve, faced a 9.46% decrease.
- Akola, which has the lowest forest cover in the region at just 5.52%, reported an alarming 11.54% loss.
- Other districts like Buldhana, Wardha, Washim, and Yavatmal also showed decreases, with Yavatmal recording a significant 12.32% loss.
The results highlight ongoing tensions between development and forest conservation in Vidarbha. Proponents of Vidarbha statehood argue that the region has been held back in terms of development despite its strong record of forest preservation. Meanwhile, environmentalists warn that any reduction in forest cover must be taken seriously and that preserving Vidarbha’s forests should not be compromised for development.
The sharp decline in forest cover in districts like Akola and Yavatmal raises serious concerns about the future of biodiversity and sustainability in the region.
The government now faces growing pressure to balance economic development with environmental preservation. Experts suggest that a more robust approach to afforestation, stricter regulations on land use, and a more integrated strategy for conservation and development could help reverse the trend of forest cover loss and safeguard Vidarbha’s natural resources for future generations.
