Rise in forest cover by 7sq km doesn't impress Goa's greens (ToI)

Rise in forest cover by 7sq km doesn't impress Goa's greens TNN | Jun 6, 2013, 01.28 AM IST PANAJI: An increase of seven sq km in Goa's green cover reported by Forest survey of India (FSI) has not enthused environmentalists much, as it comprises mangrove area and the status of dense and other forest types remains ambiguous. The moderate dense forest (MDF) cover in the state has showed an increase from 578 sq km to 585 sq km during the two-year period 2009-2011. FSI's India state of forest report 2011 bases its findings on the increase in mangrove cover after interpretation of satellite data and ground-truthing done by its officials. But as per the forest cover change matrix provided by FSI, the expanse of very dense (VDF) type of forest stood unchanged at 543 sq km and open forest (OF) also constant at 1,091 sq km from 2009 figures. "This may not mean that very dense forests and open forests are intact," environmentalist Ramesh Gauns said. The lack of a comparative study by FSI about the status of the various forest types during the last few years is sorely felt by environmentalists to confirm the extent of lost forest cover. "The period between 2003 and 2012 was the peak period of mining activity. More than 105 mining leases were cleared and operated during this period and a lot of natural forests have been lost," Gauns said. Around 1,907 hectares of forest land had been diverted for non-forestry purposes between1995-2007 and an additional 1,314 hectares till 2011, according to figures provided in the Goa assembly. In recent years, afforested mining dumps have also been cleared during the mining boom. Further, the FSI report states that the forest cover in the state, based on the interpretation of satellite data of February 2009, is 2,219 sq km, which is about 59.94% of state's geographical area. "The greenery may be showing from monoculture plantations and not the natural forest species, which supports the rich biodiversity in a better way," Gauns said. The total recorded forest area in Goa is 33.06%, reserved forests 20.67%, protected forests 69.04% and unclassed forests 10.29% of the total forest area, as per the FSI report. The mangrove cover has grown due to the neglect of khazan lands due to inflow of saline water. "Eutrophication of the cultivable area has increased the green cover," a geologist said. Though the forest department has targeted identification of 200 sq km of private forests, environmentalists are disappointed by the delay in completing the task. "It is unfortunate that such an important issue to protect Goa's forest wealth has been ignored for nearly two decades," Siddarth Karapurkar, a social activist, said. The Forest Survey of India report on Goa has failed in its duty by not providing a comparative study about the status of the various forest types during the last few years. This means one cannot confirm the extent of lost forest cover. Manipulating to show that there is an increase in forest cover does not benefit anyone. Spread of mangroves does not amount to increase in forest cover. India needs to ensure that all its forest species are intact and growing. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Rise-in-forest-cover-by-7sq-km-doesnt-impress-Goas-greens/articleshow/20451134.cms