Nearly 19,000 sqkm of forest area under encroachment: Prakash Javadekar

NEW DELHI: Nearly 19,000 sq kms of forest area in the country is under encroachment, the Lok Sabha was told today.

"As per information provided by states and Union Territories, the forest area under encroachment is 18,994 sq kms which is approximately 2.47 per cent of the total forest area of the country," Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar said in a written reply.

To prevent fresh encroachments, he said various measures are being taken including setting up of check posts, barriers, use of mordern technology and improved mobility to the field staff by providing vehicles for patrolling among others.

"The Ministry supplements the efforts of the states and UTs in protection and management of forest through centrally- sponsored schemes namely intensification of forest management committee," he said.

Replying to another question, Javadekar said the total forest cover in the country is 7,01,673 sq kms which is 21.34 per cent of India's geographical area and there is a net increase of 3775 sq kms in the forest cover as compared with India State of the Forest Report 2013.

"The proposal to involve private and public sector in afforestation of degraded forest areas is under active consideration with a view to improving the forest condition and decrease import of wood and wood products," he said.

Replying to a separate question, he said as on March 7, environmental clearance of around 411 projects in various states were pending.