Context:

• The recent Indian State of Forest Report (ISFR) of 2023 has brought to the forefront a critical situation regarding Haryana's forest cover, underscoring a significant environmental concern.

Key Points:

• The report reveals that Haryana, once known for its natural landscapes, is witnessing a disturbing trend of forest cover decline.
• Between 2021 and 2023, the state experienced a reduction of approximately 14 square kilometers in its forest cover. From 1,628.2 square kilometers in 2021, the state's forest cover has shrunk to 1,614.2 square kilometers in 2023. This decline is a reflection of the mounting environmental pressures, especially in terms of land-use changes, urbanization, and development projects.

Spatial distribution of forest cover loss

The decline in Haryana's forest cover has been observed across both Recorded Forest Areas (RFA) and Non-RFA areas. The key statistics are as follows:

• 11.2 sqkm decrease outside the Recorded Forest Areas (non-forest zones)
• 2.8 sqkm reduction within the Recorded Forest Areas (officially designated forest land)

This indicates that the forest cover loss is more pronounced outside the formally protected areas, which points to the increasing pressure from urbanization, agricultural expansion, and infrastructure development.

District-wise impact

The forest cover loss has not been uniform across the state. Some districts have been more affected than others, with the highest reductions observed in the following regions:

• Rohtak: 4.3 sqkm (428 hectares)
• Mewat: 4.1 sqkm
• Hisar and Bhiwani: 1.9 sqkm each
• Mahendragarh: 1.7 sqkm

These districts, particularly Rohtak and Mewat, have witnessed significant deforestation, likely due to rapid urbanization, industrial growth, and infrastructure development. The loss in Rohtak can be attributed to the expansion of residential and commercial areas, while Mewat's deforestation is primarily driven by agricultural activities and mining.

Contextual Challenges

Minimal Forest Coverage

Haryana has one of the lowest levels of forest cover in India, which makes the situation even more alarming. Several factors exacerbate this issue:

• Only 3.6% of Haryana's total land area is recorded as forest.
• 21 out of the state’s 22 districts have less than 20% forest and tree cover.
• Haryana has the smallest forest and tree cover percentage in India, with just 6.7% of its total area covered by forests and trees.

This minimal forest cover is a significant environmental challenge, as it limits the state’s ability to mitigate climate change, prevent soil erosion, support biodiversity, and maintain ecological balance. The state’s low forest cover is compounded by the fact that much of the land is used for agriculture, urbanization, and infrastructure projects.