India has diverted a substantial quantum of forestland for non-forestry purposes over the past decade, according to findings in the State of Environment (SOE) 2026 report. The scale of diversion — 1,734 sq km between 2014–15 and 2023–24 — exceeds the entire forest cover of Haryana, intensifying concerns over ecological sustainability and regulatory oversight.
Keyword: Forest diversion India SOE 2026
Tags: #StateOfEnvironment2026 #ForestDiversion #Deforestation #EnvironmentalGovernance #ForestConservationAct #Mining #Infrastructure #ClimatePolicy #Haryana #MadhyaPradesh
Scale of Diversion: A Decade of Clearances
Between 2014–15 and 2023–24:
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173,984 hectares (1,734 sq km) of forestland were approved for diversion.
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Since 2008–09, cumulative diversion has crossed 350,000 hectares.
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A noticeable spike occurred in 2023–24.
These diversions were granted primarily for infrastructure, extractive industries, and water resource projects under the regulatory framework of the Forest Conservation Act, 1980.
Haryana Comparison: A Stark Benchmark
Haryana’s total forest cover is estimated at approximately 1,500–1,600 sq km, making the past decade’s diversion larger than the state’s entire forested area.
This comparison underscores the magnitude of forest conversion and raises questions about whether compensatory afforestation and mitigation mechanisms are effectively offsetting ecological loss.
Leading States in Forest Diversion
Among states, Madhya Pradesh recorded the highest diversion figures, followed by Punjab and Odisha.
Together, the top states accounted for over half of total forestland approvals, reflecting regional patterns of mining expansion, linear infrastructure growth, and irrigation projects.
Key Drivers of Forestland Diversion (2020–25)
Recent approvals indicate that infrastructure and extractive activities dominate forest clearances:
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Road projects: 22,233 hectares
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Mining: 18,914 hectares
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Hydel/Irrigation projects: 17,434 hectares
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3,826 road cases cleared since 2020
Linear infrastructure projects, particularly highways and connectivity corridors, received the largest number of approvals.
Environmental and Policy Concerns
The scale of diversion raises multiple concerns:
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Carbon Sequestration Loss: Forests are vital carbon sinks; diversion weakens India’s climate mitigation strategy.
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Biodiversity Impact: Mining and road projects fragment wildlife habitats.
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Compensatory Afforestation Gap: Questions persist regarding the ecological equivalence of replacement plantations.
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Cumulative Impact Assessment: Project-by-project approvals may underestimate landscape-level damage.
Given India’s international climate commitments and biodiversity conservation obligations, balancing infrastructure growth with ecological safeguards remains a pressing governance challenge.
The Way Forward
The SOE 2026 findings suggest the need for:
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Stronger cumulative impact assessments.
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Greater transparency in forest clearance processes.
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Rigorous monitoring of compensatory afforestation.
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Integration of climate resilience criteria in project approvals.
As India accelerates infrastructure expansion, the data highlight a fundamental tension between developmental imperatives and environmental sustainability. The coming years will determine whether forest governance frameworks can meaningfully reconcile these competing priorities.
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