The latest environmental data paints a grim picture for India’s forests. In 2024 alone, the country lost 18,200 hectares of primary forest some of the most biodiverse and carbon-rich ecosystems on the planet. Since 2001, India’s total tree cover loss has reached a staggering 2.31 million hectares, representing a 7.1% decrease in tree cover over just two decades.
The destruction of India’s forests is driven by a combination of factors:
Clearing land for crops and plantations remains the leading cause.
Rapid city growth, road construction, and industrial projects are eating into forested areas.
Legal and illegal extraction of timber, minerals, and other resources devastate large tracts of land.
Increasingly frequent forest fires and shifting weather patterns are accelerating the loss.
Primary forests those undisturbed by human activity are especially critical. They store more carbon, house unique wildlife, and support indigenous communities. Their loss is nearly irreversible.
2024: 18,200 hectares of primary forest lost.
2001–2024: 2.31 million hectares of tree cover lost nationwide.
7.1% decrease: India’s total tree cover has shrunk by over 7% in just 23 years.
States like Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh have seen the highest losses, with the Northeast region particularly hard-hit due to shifting cultivation and infrastructure projects.
Forests act as carbon sinks; their loss means more greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, accelerating global warming. India’s forests are home to tigers, elephants, and thousands of unique plant and animal species. Deforestation pushes many closer to extinction. Forests regulate rainfall, prevent floods, and recharge groundwater. Their destruction threatens water supplies for millions. Over 275 million Indians depend on forests for food, fuel, and income.
India’s forests are vanishing at an alarming rate. The loss of 18,200 hectares of primary forest in 2024 is not just a statistic, it’s a wake-up call. Protecting and restoring our forests is essential for fighting climate change, preserving biodiversity, and securing the future for generations to come.
