Over 2.8 million trees approved for felling as forest diversions surge across India

New Delhi: India’s forests have witnessed extensive diversion for developmental projects over the past three years, with the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change approving the felling of more than “2.8 million trees” on forest land between July 2023 and May 2026, according to a recent analysis by environmental magazine Down To Earth.

The analysis examined proposals considered by the ministry’s forest advisory mechanisms and found that of the 288 unique proposals seeking diversion of forest land for non-forestry purposes, 242 were approved, reflecting an approval rate exceeding 80 percent. The approvals facilitated the diversion of more than 22,000 hectares of forest land for projects spanning mining, hydropower generation, transmission infrastructure, rehabilitation activities and other development sectors.

Among all sectors, mining projects emerged as the largest driver of tree loss, accounting for approximately 1.35 million trees approved for felling or already felled. Mining operations have increasingly expanded into forested regions rich in mineral resources, often triggering concerns about habitat destruction, biodiversity loss and ecological fragmentation.

Hydropower projects ranked second, with around 930,000 trees approved for removal. Large dams, reservoirs and associated infrastructure frequently require extensive clearing of forests, particularly in ecologically sensitive mountain regions. Environmental experts have repeatedly cautioned that such projects can alter river ecosystems, increase landslide risks and disrupt wildlife corridors.

Rehabilitation and resettlement projects accounted for another 230,000 trees, highlighting the environmental costs associated with infrastructure expansion and displacement-related development activities.

The report noted that forest land was diverted across 27 different sectors, indicating the growing pressure on India’s natural ecosystems from multiple fronts. Conservationists argue that while economic development and infrastructure creation are important, the scale of forest diversion raises serious questions about long-term ecological sustainability, climate resilience and compliance with India’s environmental commitments.

Forests play a critical role in regulating climate, conserving biodiversity, protecting watersheds and supporting the livelihoods of millions of forest-dependent communities. The loss of millions of trees could weaken carbon sequestration capacities at a time when India has pledged ambitious climate goals, including achieving net-zero emissions by 2070 and creating additional carbon sinks through forest and tree cover enhancement.

Environmental groups have also expressed concern over the high approval rate for forest diversion proposals, arguing that environmental impact assessments and mitigation measures often fail to fully account for the cumulative ecological impacts of multiple projects within the same landscape.

The findings come amid growing debates over balancing developmental imperatives with environmental protection. Experts suggest that stricter scrutiny of diversion proposals, greater emphasis on degraded-land alternatives, improved compensatory afforestation practices and stronger ecological safeguards are essential to ensure that economic growth does not come at the irreversible cost of India’s forests.

As India pursues rapid infrastructure expansion, energy security and industrial growth, the challenge remains whether development can proceed without undermining the ecological foundations that sustain both human well-being and environmental stability.