Guwahati , Apr 1: More than 13,000 square kilometers of forest area in 25 states and Union Territories (UTs) are currently under encroachment, according to data submitted by the Union Environment Ministry to the National Green Tribunal (NGT). The encroached area is larger than the combined geographical size of Delhi, Sikkim, and Goa.

The NGT had previously taken suo motu cognizance of a report based on government data, which revealed that over 7,500 square kilometers of forest land was under encroachment. In response, the NGT directed the Ministry to compile and submit a detailed report on forest encroachments across the country.

As of March 2024, the Ministry reported that 13,056 square kilometers of forest land have been encroached upon in states and UTs that have provided data. Madhya Pradesh reported the highest encroachment with 5,460.9 square kilometers, followed by Assam with 3,620.9 square kilometers. Other states with notable encroachments include Karnataka (863.08 sq km), Maharashtra (575.54 sq km), Arunachal Pradesh (534.9 sq km), and Odisha (405.07 sq km).

States and UTs yet to submit their data include Bihar, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Telangana, West Bengal, Nagaland, Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.

The Ministry also stated that 409.77 square kilometers of forest land have been reclaimed from encroachment, but it is unclear whether this area has been excluded from the total encroached area reported.

Efforts to collect the data included multiple reminders, phone calls, and meetings with the states and UTs, with the Ministry urging them to submit the information in a prescribed format.