The forest area in Madhya Pradesh was decreasing at an average rate of about 5,000 sq km per year since 1994, the State Assembly was told on Monday.The Forest Minister, Mr. Ratnesh Soloman, told the House that the State had given permission for converting the forest land for the non-forest purpose on 3,654 sq-km in 1994, 3,306 sq km in 1995, 2,575 sq km in 1996, 12,351 sq km in 1997 and 2,095 sq km in 1998.