Forest Loss Alarm in Nilgiris Region

The beautiful Nilgiris, often called the Queen of Hills, is facing a troubling situation as it has seen a significant drop in its forest cover. Between 2003 and 2011, the area lost 226 square kilometers of dense forests, and from 2011 to 2021, another 348 square kilometers of moderately dense forests disappeared.

A recent report by the Tamil Nadu State Planning Commission sheds light on this issue, analyzing two decades of data to draw attention to areas needing urgent action to improve forest cover in the state. The report actually uses information from the India State of Forest Reports (ISFR), put together by the Forest Survey of India, to back its findings.

The Commission has highlighted districts with very little forest cover, including Chennai, Tiruvarur, Karur, Nagapattinam, and Perambalur. Shockingly, these five districts together represent only 1.89% of Tamil Nadu’s total forest cover.

Some regions, like Sivaganga, have faced severe losses, with a reduction of 20.47% in forest cover over the last two decades. Other districts, such as Vilupuram and Kancheepuram, also saw significant decreases, at 13.85% and 13.03%, respectively.

In addition to the Nilgiris, Erode has also lost both dense and moderately dense forests, while Dharmapuri has seen a dramatic loss of 409 square kilometers of open forests. The report calls for an immediate study to figure out what’s causing these losses.

Across Tamil Nadu, there has been a steady reduction in tree cover from 2001 to 2021, amounting to 1,630 square kilometers. Factors like urban growth, rapid development, cyclones, and droughts are believed to be contributing to this decline.

Interestingly, despite having a low share of the national mangrove cover at just 0.9%, Tamil Nadu noted a slight increase in mangrove areas from 23 square kilometers in 2001 to 49 square kilometers in 2017. However, from 2017 to 2021, the state lost 4 square kilometers of mangroves.

The reports show a significant drop in the growing stock of forests, losing about 52.134 million cubic meters in recorded forest areas between 2011 and 2021. This declining trend raises concerns and requires immediate scientific intervention for recovery.

To tackle these forest cover issues, the Planning Commission proposed several actions, emphasizing agro-forestry. They suggest increasing tree cover on agricultural lands as a way to improve farmers’ livelihoods while simultaneously enhancing the forest cover.

Efforts should also focus on restoring degraded forests and enhancing carbon sequestration. Community involvement in forest restoration must be prioritized, offering locals an active role in the process.

The report also recommended adopting models similar to the Haritha Haram initiative in Telangana to boost green cover and suggested periodic monitoring to identify gaps that need addressing.

Moreover, protecting natural forests and allowing them to regenerate is seen as more effective than simply planting trees in areas without forests. Special attention to invasive species affecting forest biodiversity is vital, with success stories from Kodaikanal and Mudumalai providing potential solutions.

Overall, the report underscores the importance of safeguarding forests from human interference, including encroachments and wildfires, to support the growth of forest coverage in Tamil Nadu.