LOSING FORESTS, LEAF BY LEAF, TREE AFTER TREE: Madhya Pradesh’s Forests Take a Hit While India Turns Greener

Madhya Pradesh has emerged as the only state in central India showing a decline in forest cover, even as India overall witnessed an increase in greenery over the past five years. According to data presented by the Union government in the Rajya Sabha on July 24, 2025, five states across the country reported a fall in forest cover — Madhya Pradesh and four northeastern states.

Between 2019 and 2023, Madhya Pradesh lost 408.56 square kilometres of forest, second only to Arunachal Pradesh, which recorded a higher loss of 806.43 square kilometres. Despite this setback, Madhya Pradesh still retains the largest forest cover in India — 77,073.44 square kilometres — as per the India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2023.

However, the state also leads the country in forest land encroachment, with 546,089.45 hectares of forest area encroached upon, of which only 17,496.54 hectares have been cleared. In comparison, Assam, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Arunachal Pradesh follow in terms of encroached areas.

While forest cover declined in Madhya Pradesh and the four northeastern states, India’s overall forest cover increased by 3,093.61 square kilometres, rising from 712,249 sq km in 2019 to 715,342.61 sq km in 2023, according to the Union government’s data.

The issue gains renewed attention as Madhya Pradesh observes Wildlife Week from October 1 to 7, underscoring the importance of forest conservation and wildlife protection.

The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) emphasized that the protection, conservation, and management of forests primarily lie with state governments. These efforts are supported by several legal frameworks, including the Indian Forest Act (1927), Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam (1980), and the Wildlife (Protection) Act (1972).

To aid state governments, the Centre provides technical and financial support through schemes such as the National Mission for a Green India, Forest Fire Prevention and Management Scheme, Nagar Van Yojana, Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats, and the Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats and Tangible Incomes (MISHTI).

Afforestation initiatives in Madhya Pradesh are also financed under the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA). However, the utilization of CAMPA funds has faced criticism for irregularities and inefficiencies at the state level.

The Forest Survey of India (FSI), Dehradun, under the MoEFCC, conducts biennial assessments of India’s forest cover since 1987, publishing findings in the India State of Forest Report (ISFR). The latest data highlights the urgent need for stricter forest management and anti-encroachment measures in Madhya Pradesh, even as India continues to make strides in expanding its green footprint.

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SHRINKING FOREST COVER (in sq km)

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MAXIMUM FOREST ENCROACHMENT (as per Union Government data)