Destruction of natural forest lands: Whither 'target' of 33% of area with tree cover?

Counterview Desk
In an email representation to the secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), Government of India, senior power and climate change policy expert Shankar Sharma has said that recent approvals for/ condonation of forest destruction Hubli-Ankola Railway line proposal, Kaiga Nuclear Project capacity expansion, hydel power projects in three Wildlife Sanctuaries, and more than 20 other linear projects in the Western Ghats of Karnataka should be withdrawn immediately.
Offering a list of projects where the forests would be cleared in Karnataka, Sharma in his representation – copies of which have also been sent to the the MoEF&CC minister and the Prime Minister – said, he expects a “clarification” from the authorities in this regards.

Text:

The news report, The Modi government is letting companies get away with illegally clearing forests, should be a major embarrassment to the Union govt, and a serious concern for the people of the country.
Such approvals for/ condonation of forest destruction, including many within the legally protected Wildlife Sanctuaries and Tiger Reserves, if allowed to continue, will become the death knell for the biodiversity in the country; thereby not only belying various commitments made by India in protecting forest lands, but also seriously impacting the true welfare of our people.
Such recent approvals for/ condonation of forest destruction include Hubli-Ankola Railway line proposal, Kaiga Nuclear Project capacity expansion, hydel power projects in three Wildlife Sanctuaries, and more than 20 other linear projects in the Western Ghats of Karnataka alone, as per the list attached.
Can we hope that the Ministry will do all that is necessary urgently to respect the honour of the promise made by the Prime Minister to the global community in the context of climate change mitigation, and also the promise made to the people of this country as per the Constitution?
Can you please arrange to bring all the associated issues to the kind attention of the Minister and the Hon'ble Prime Minister, so that such approvals for/ condonation of forest destruction are stopped immediately?
Arrangement may also please be made to provide suitable clarification to the people of this country on the allegations made in the news report, and also to clarify as to how the national forest policy target of 33% of the land area to be covered by forest and trees can be reached from the present level of less than 24%, if the destruction of such natural forest lands continue.

Comments

Grueling summer ahead: Cuttack’s alarming health trends and what they mean for Odisha

By Sudhansu R Das The preparation to face the summer should begin early in Odisha. People in the state endure long, grueling summer months starting from mid-February and extending until the end of October. This prolonged heat adversely affects productivity, causes deaths and diseases, and impacts agriculture, tourism and the unorganized sector. The social, economic and cultural life of the state remains severely disrupted during the peak heat months.

Stronger India–Russia partnership highlights a missed energy breakthrough

By N.S. Venkataraman* The recent visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to India was widely publicized across several countries and has attracted significant global attention. The warmth with which Mr. Putin was received by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was particularly noted, prompting policy planners worldwide to examine the implications of this cordial relationship for the global economy and political climate. India–Russia relations have stood on a strong foundation for decades and have consistently withstood geopolitical shifts. This is in marked contrast to India’s ties with the United States, which have experienced fluctuations under different U.S. administrations.

Concerns raised over move to rename MGNREGA, critics call it politically motivated

By A Representative Concerns have been raised over the Union government’s reported move to rename the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), with critics describing it as a politically motivated step rather than an administrative reform. They argue that the proposed change undermines the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi and seeks to appropriate credit for a programme whose relevance has been repeatedly demonstrated, particularly during times of crisis.

From natural farming to fair prices: Young entrepreneurs show a new path

By Bharat Dogra There have been frequent debates on agro-business companies not showing adequate concern for the livelihoods of small farmers. Farmers’ unions have often protested—generally with good reason—that while they do not receive fair returns despite high risks and hard work, corporate interests that merely process the crops produced by farmers earn disproportionately high profits. Hence, there is a growing demand for alternative models of agro-business development that demonstrate genuine commitment to protecting farmer livelihoods.

A comrade in culture and controversy: Yao Wenyuan’s revolutionary legacy

By Harsh Thakor* This year marks two important anniversaries in Chinese revolutionary history—the 20th death anniversary of Yao Wenyuan, and the 50th anniversary of his seminal essay "On the Social Basis of the Lin Biao Anti-Party Clique". These milestones invite reflection on the man whose pen ignited the first sparks of the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution and whose sharp ideological interventions left an indelible imprint on the political and cultural landscape of socialist China.

Swami Vivekananda's views on caste and sexuality were 'painfully' regressive

By Bhaskar Sur* Swami Vivekananda now belongs more to the modern Hindu mythology than reality. It makes a daunting job to discover the real human being who knew unemployment, humiliation of losing a teaching job for 'incompetence', longed in vain for the bliss of a happy conjugal life only to suffer the consequent frustration.

Why India must urgently strengthen its policies for an ageing population

By Bharat Dogra A quiet but far-reaching demographic transformation is reshaping much of the world. As life expectancy rises and birth rates fall, societies are witnessing a rapid increase in the proportion of older people. This shift has profound implications for public policy, and the need to strengthen frameworks for healthy and secure ageing has never been more urgent. India is among the countries where these pressures will intensify most sharply in the coming decades.

Thota Sitaramaiah: An internal pillar of an underground organisation

By Harsh Thakor* Thota Sitaramaiah was regarded within his circles as an example of the many individuals whose work in various underground movements remained largely unknown to the wider public. While some leaders become visible through organisational roles or media attention, many others contribute quietly, without public recognition. Sitaramaiah was considered one such figure. He passed away on December 8, 2025, at the age of 65.

School job scam and the future of university degree holders in West Bengal

By Harasankar Adhikari The school recruitment controversy in West Bengal has emerged as one of the most serious governance challenges in recent years, raising concerns about transparency, institutional accountability, and the broader impact on society. Allegations that school jobs were obtained through irregular means have led to prolonged legal scrutiny, involving both the Calcutta High Court and the Supreme Court of India. In one instance, a panel for high school teacher recruitment was ultimately cancelled after several years of service, following extended judicial proceedings and debate.

Search This Blog