India loses over 46,000 sq km of forest land in a decade, Arunachal Pradesh worst affected
New Delhi: Over the past decade, India has lost nearly 46,000 sq km of forest land, with Arunachal Pradesh recording the highest loss of 6,539 sq km, according to the latest India State of Forest Report. Other states with significant losses include Madhya Pradesh (5,353 sq km) and Maharashtra (4,052 sq km).
In southern India, Andhra Pradesh (5,560 sq km), Telangana (4,926 sq km), and Karnataka (3,328 sq km) were among the most affected states.
The report highlights three categories of forest degradation:
1. Dense forests turning into open forests (10-40% canopy density).
2. Open forests degrading into scrublands (less than 10% canopy density).
3. Scrublands transforming into non-forest areas.
The combined degradation over the decade totals 92,989 sq km, with dense forests accounting for nearly 93,000 sq km of the loss. Of this, 50% has been entirely converted into non-forest areas, including croplands, settlements, water bodies, grasslands, snow-covered regions, and deserts.
Environmentalists have raised concerns about the increasing conversion of forests into non-forest lands, which could severely impact biodiversity. Debadityo Sinha, an ecologist with the Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy, remarked, “Many of these areas are home to significant engineering projects like mines, highways, and strategic developments, which have intensified following recent amendments to the Forest Conservation Act.”
The report also warns about the spread of Vilayati Kikar (Prosopis juliflora), an invasive alien species, which has emerged as one of the top five agroforestry species in 2023.
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RSS has global network of over 2,500 groups for money laundering: Priyank Kharge
Bengaluru: Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Priyank Kharge has alleged involvement of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in a money transfer network at global level.
Posting his allegation on his personal ‘X’ account on Saturday morning, Kharge said that he was referring to an issue that had not been dealt with decisively by Indian media houses.
“Here is a crucial story that the Indian media will never touch,” the minister has said, and clarified, “This so-called “body of individuals” has built a global network of over 2,500 affiliated organisations. Through these fronts, the RSS collects “guru dakshina” to fuel its divisive agenda. (sic)”
Kharge has further alleged, “The world’s largest NGO is running amok, laundering money and evading accountability.”
The minister added, “Here is a map of their organisational architecture of their “Vichar Parivaar.” https://rssproject.caravanmagazine.in / @thecaravanindia”
