Affidavit by the state of Goa on forest cover in the state, 25/04/2025
Affidavit by the state of Goa in the matter of news item titled "India lost 2.33 million hectares of tree cover since 2000 global forest watch" appearing in the Indian Express dated April 13, 2024.
As per the State of Forests Report of 2023, the total forest cover in Goa is 2,265.72 sq km which amounts to 61.20 per cent of Goa's geographical area. "Data clearly indicates a consistent and steady increase in forest cover in Goa since 2001.
The state of Goa and other authorities in Goa take several proactive measures to enforce all applicable statutory provisions for protecting and enhancing the state's forest cover. The report mentioned that the state of Goa strictly follows norms to protect Goa's forests and tree cover. These include the provisions of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980; the Indian Forest Act, 1927, the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986; the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972; Goa Preservation of Trees Act, 1984 and the Environmental Impact Assessment Notification 2006.
Regular patrolling is carried out in government forest areas. Check gates and protection camps are established at strategic locations to prevent illegal logging and transportation of illegal timbers. Compensatory afforestation carried out in lieu of forest division, Assisted Natural Regeneration (ANR) is being carried out under CAMPA.
Other schemes implemented are intensification and forest management, social and urban forestry, forest conservation and development, rehabilitation of degraded forests under which plantations are created and maintained in forest areas for conserving and enriching the forest cover of the state. There has been a decrease in forest cover of 1.55 sq m in 2023 when compared with the data of 2021.
The reasons for this decrease include forest clearances, permitted and lawful tree felling for developmental activities such as the laying of railway lines, extension of national highways/roads, laying of electrical lines and projects of the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC). Also, the trees on private and government forest areas got damaged due to the occurrence of tropical cyclone 'Tauktae' in May 2021.