Syllabus: GS-III & V: Conservation

Why in the news?

A recent peer-reviewed research study published in Australian Geographer has revealed severe loss of dense forest cover in major reserve forest belts of Assam between 1990-2020, raising critical ecological and governance concerns.

About the Study

• The study was jointly conducted by researchers from Raha College, Gauhati University and Dimoria College.
• Analysis was carried out across Behali Wildlife Sanctuary, Biswanath RF, Naduar RF, Singlijan RF and Gohpur RF.
• Satellite datasets used: Landsat-5 and Landsat-8.

Key Highlights of the Study

• Major findings include:
  
  • 65.92% loss of dense forest cover in Biswanath RF.
    
  • 28.6% dense forest loss in Gohpur RF.
    
  • 27.02% loss in Naduar RF.
    
  • 16.98% loss in Behali Sanctuary.
    
  • Only Singlijan RF recorded a 1.54% increase in dense forest.
    
• Agriculture expanded dramatically:
  
  • About 60.28 sq km of forest in Gohpur RF turned into farmland.
    
  • 19.5 sq km of land in Behali Sanctuary became agricultural fields.
    
• Settlements emerged as a new land-use category inside protected belts.
  
• Barren land classes recorded earlier have almost disappeared, indicating continuous land occupation.
  

Reasons for Degradation of Forest Areas in Assam

1. Heavy Human Dependency on Forest Resources

• Fringe-area communities rely on fuelwood, fodder and timber due to livelihood needs.
  
• Forests are exploited beyond regeneration capacity.
  

2. Rapid Agricultural Expansion

• Forest land converted to paddy fields and plantations.
  
• Encroachment is widespread in Biswanath and Gohpur regions.
  

3. Settlement Pressure

• New settlement clusters emerged within notified reserve boundaries.
  
• Illegal land occupation threatens forest continuity.
  

4. Ecological Practices contributing to degradation

• Open grazing areas degrade natural regeneration.
  
• Plantation of exotic species affects local biodiversity and root stability.
  

5. Weak Institutional Enforcement

• Despite protection under:
  
  • Wildlife Protection Act
    
  • Indian Forest Act
    
  • Assam Forest Regulation
    Implementation remains inconsistent.
    

Ecological Implications Highlighted

• Loss of habitat connectivity and fragmentation.
  
• Higher frequency of human-animal conflict.
  
• Increased stress on elephant corridors.
  
• Loss of biodiversity, especially endemic forest species.
  
• Soil erosion and siltation affecting flood-prone zones.
  

Way Forward

1. Satellite-based monitoring and geo-mapping of encroachment

• Create annual forest loss maps at district level.
  

2. Strict enforcement of forest eviction and land restoration

• Implement clauses in Assam land laws.
  
• Fast-track legal settlement of forest boundary disputes.
  

3. Community-based conservation solutions

• Create participatory forest committees.
  
• Introduce sustainable livelihood models:
  
  • Agro-forestry
    
  • Eco-tourism
    
  • Bamboo-based cottage enterprises
    

4. Restoration of degraded forest patches

• Prioritise elephant corridors.
  
• Promote indigenous species plantation.
  

5. Regulating grazing and invasive plantations

• Introduce rotational grazing schedules.
  
• Ban monoculture plantations.
  

Exam Hook: Key Takeaways

• Dense forest loss is highest in Biswanath RF (65%).
  
• Agriculture and settlement expansions are principal causes.
  
• The study covers 1990-2020 using Landsat-based remote sensing.
  
• Reflects gaps in implementation of existing conservation laws.
  

Mains Question

“Anthropogenic pressure—not natural change—has accelerated forest degradation in Assam over recent decades. Discuss with evidence.”

SOURCE