NEW DELHI:
Degradation of forests According to the report, released Saturday, 40,709.28 sq km has seen degradation between 2011 and 2021, from very dense and moderately dense to open forests, and 5,573.02 sq km has seen degradation from very dense, moderately dense and open forests to scrub type. Most worryingly, 46,707.11 sq km has seen very dense, moderately dense, open, and scrub type forests degrading to non-forests.
Very dense forests (VDF) have a canopy density of ≥ 70%; Moderately dense forest (MDF) between 40% and 70%; Open forest (OF), between 10% and 40%; and Scrub type, less than 10%. Non-forest lands are cropland, settlements and other areas. Forest canopy density is the proportion of the ground covered by the crowns of trees, a measure of how dense the forests are.
"A land bank of approximately 92,989 sq km (basically the sum of all the areas that have seen degradation) has been identified for "density upgradation" within recorded forest areas. As per the report this will be used for "enrichment planting" through forestry interventions -- likely through compensatory afforestation programs, which presents a bigger problem," said Prakriti Srivastava, retired IFS and former principal chief conservator of forests, Krithika Sampath and Prerna Singh Bindra, conservation researchers.
This story is from the December 24, 2024 edition of Hindustan Times Thane.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the December 24, 2024 edition of Hindustan Times Thane.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Khel Ratna row: Manu says lapse on my part
Seeking to end all \"speculations\" after her name was not considered for the Khel Ratna Award, Paris Olympics double medallist shooter Manu Bhaker on Tuesday admitted to a possible lapse in her application for the country's top sports award.
Paris heartache over, Chanu focuses on regaining fitness
The right thigh is still a work in progress for her. She can win a medal anywhere in the world if she is injury free. VIJAY SHARMA, National weightlifting coach
EX-INDIA BATTER KAMBLI STABLE, RECOVERING WELL
Former India cricketer Vinod Kambli is stable and recovering after being admitted in a private hospital in Thane, doctors and sources close to the former dashing player from Mumbai said on Tuesday.
Rohit's mantra: A personalised approach is key
Captaincy demands a mindset as varied as the individuals in the squad. You need to know when to be sympathetic and when to have a stern word or two.
Konstas to debut; Head, Rohit ready to go
Much of the intrigue on Tuesday centred around the fitness of two key figures on either side—Australia's Travid Head and India's Rohit Sharma.
INDIA NAME U-19 WOMEN'S T20 WC SQUAD, HOPE FOR TITLE DEFENCE
The Indian women's cricket team has so far been unsuccessful in winning a World Cup, not even after the big boost of coming under the BCCI fold in 2006. The chances of India defending the women's T20 U-19 World Cup, to be held in Malaysia from January 18 to February 2 though is high.
Harleen Deol, Pratika Rawal shine as India women clinch ODI series
It was a thoroughly dominant all-round performance from India yet again in this series as they defeated West Indies by 115 runs in the second women's ODI and took a 2-0 lead in the three-match series at the Kotambi Stadium, Vadodara on Tuesday.
Rupee hits record low for sixth straight session
The Indian rupee weakened to its all-time low for the sixth consecutive trading session on Tuesday as a rise in U.S. bond yields boosted the dollar and strong demand for the greenback from importers added to the lingering pressure on the local currency.
Informal sector GVA up 16.5%, workers by 10%
The Indian economy had 73.4 million non-farm informal sector enterprises in 2023-24, according to data published by the National Statistics Office (NSO) on Tuesday.
HURT BY IMPORTS, STEELMAKERS EYE SAFEGUARD DUTY
The commerce ministry's investigation into imports of flat steel products and a likely safeguard duty to curb their shipments have sparked optimism of a turnaround for Indian steelmakers after a tepid year marred by slipping sales prices and shrinking margins.