Mining, shifting cultivation & development activities reduce forest cover in state
Shillong, Feb 7: The India State of Forest Report 2021 has revealed 73 sq km reduction in Meghalaya’ s forest cover which stands at 76 percent of the total area.
Reasons are many for the dwindling forest cover in the state
A senior official with the forest department said on Monday that mining activites, shifting cultivation and development activities are some of the reasons for the trend.
According to the official, lack of scientific management of private and community owned forests adds to the problem.
“As per SC order, all private and community owned forests will have to be managed by working schemes prepared by the forest department,he said.
The official admitted that the working schemes are yet to cover all the areas of the state.
“Unless tree felling is regulated with the working schemes, Meghalaya may lose more forest cover”, he added.
The process is on to implement the working schemes along with plantations in Jaintia Hills and West Khasi Hills and the initiative will be followed in other districts.
