Begin typing your search above and press return to search.

State forest cover dwindling

By AJit patowary

GUWAHATI, July 8 � The size of the total forest cover of the State has shrunk. In 1988-�89, the size of the State�s forest cover was 21.98 per cent of its total land area of 78,438 square kilometers (kms). Against this, the forest cover of the State is now found to be 21.02 per cent of its total land area. Of this area, only 9,902 square kilometers (kms), that is 12.62 per cent, is found to be covered with dense forests. This is seven per cent less in size, compared to 1988-�89.

This decrease in the size of the forest cover of the State has come to light during the analysis of the satellite data obtained through the Linear Imaging Self-Scanner (LISS)-III sensor mounted on the Indian Remote Sensing Satellite (IRS) - P6.

The sensor, with a resolution of 23.5 metres, was used to collect satellite data in 2006 under a National Resources Census Programme launched by the National Natural Resource Management System (NNRMS) in a bid to assess land use patterns and land cover in the country.

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) had developed the methodology for the purpose and the Assam Remote Sensing Application Centre (ARSAC) of the Assam Science, Technology and Environment Council (ASTEC) was involved in the exercise as a partner organization. The satellite data collected under the programme were analysed in 2008-10.

Official sources here said that the saving grace for those connected with the State�s Forest Department is the area under house hold forest cover in the rural areas. Only this can help them claim that the size of the State�s forest cover has gone up.

In 1988-�89 the size of the area covered by rural household forest was 12.34 per cent of the State�s total land area. But this time, the area covered by such household forest is 25.09 per cent of the total land area of the State. This, together with the area under the notified forests (21.02 per cent), makes up the figure of 46.11 per cent.

If the area under tea plantation � that is, 4.89 per cent of the total land area�is added to the above figure, the total size of the State�s forest cover can be worked out to be 51 per cent of its total land area.

But here one will face the problems related with the role of the forests in maintaining the ecological balances with their rich stock of flora and fauna. The area under tea plantations cannot be treated at par with the other forest areas in this regard, said the sources.

Next Story