As the entire world celebrate World Environmental Day, the Nagaland state government and various stakeholders undertook a massive tree plantation drive across the state on the occasion in commemoration of the day even as Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio claimed that more than two lakh saplings have been planted on the occasion of World Environment Day across Nagaland.
The January released India State of Forest Report 2021 as published earlier in Mokokchung Times reported that Nagaland’s forest cover declined from 13,318 SqKms to 12,486.40 SqKms, losing 831.6 SqKms of forest cover in between 2011- 2019.
While acknowledging the importance of a green cover in attaining sustainability, here is a glimpse on the status of forests in Nagaland as of 31.1.2021.
As per the official portal of the Department of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Govt. Of Nagaland, the recorded forest area of the state is 8629.30 sq.km which is 52% of its geographical area. The Reserved Forests constitute 3.06%, Protected Forests 5.51% and Unclassed Forest constitute 93.56%.Nagaland has one National Park and three Wildlife Sanctuaries covering 222.0 Sq. Km which constitutes 1.34% of the State’s geographical area.