State’s forest cover not on the decline: PCCF
SHILLONG: The State Forest department has denied reports stating that the forest cover is rampantly decreasing in the “Abode of Clouds”.
The State still has 75-77 per cent of its area under forest cover, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (PCCF), Vinod K Nautiyal told reporters on Tuesday. Besides, the forest cover has recorded an increase of two per cent in the last two years.
A top official of the Forest Survey of India (FSI) involved in the study had said the forest cover in the hilly state was on the decline.
“We don’t agree with the report as it is an individual’s view,” Nautiyal said adding, “Reaching such conclusions without proving any data is not proper.”
Large-scale tree felling and clearing of vast tracts of bamboo plantation has reportedly led to the decline of the forest cover in the north-eastern region including Meghalaya. The region’s dense forest cover is considered as the last vestige of hope for the whole country, the report said.
Meanwhile, Nautiyal admitted that forest cover in the places where land tenure system and shifting cultivation is practised may be a bit less as the Government does not have much say in these areas.
The PCCF also pointed out that forests are under threat in the State as well as in areas under the jurisdiction of district councils as the Forest department does not represent the areas hundred per cent.
The Forest department is contemplating to make working plans to safeguard the forests in the district council areas.
The State has eight types of forest in its seven districts, mainly in Garo Hills, with two national parks, three sanctuaries and one biosphere reserve.