TL;DR: India has diverted over 3.5 lakh hectares of forest land for non-forestry purposes since 2008–09, with a sharp rise seen in 2023–24 following guideline revisions. Roads, mining, and hydel projects dominate clearances, while new patterns show increased diversion in the Northeast.

Context

The recent amendment to India’s Forest (Conservation) Rules has renewed debate over how forest lands are managed and protected. The changes, introduced in early 2026, allow commercial plantations and private entities to undertake restoration projects on degraded forest land, marking a major policy shift from earlier restrictions. While the government argues that the move will promote afforestation and economic use of underutilised land, environmental experts warn it could open the door to large-scale diversion and weaken existing safeguards. Against this backdrop, we examine recent trends in forest land diversion across India.

Who compiles this data?

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) compiles official data on forest land diversion, primarily sourced from state forest departments via the PARIVESH online clearance system. The data is made available to the public through Parliament responses and the Envistats report.

Where can I download clean & structured data from the Economic Survey?

Clean, structured, and ready-to-use detailed dataset on the year and state-wise forest land diverted for non-forest use is available on Dataful. Datasets on compensatory afforestation taken up, forest land diversion by project types, and more are also available on Dataful.

Key Insights

• Between the fiscal years 2008-09 and 2024-25, a cumulative total of more than 3.5 lakh hectares of forest land was officially diverted for non-forestry purposes across India. In 2009-10 alone, 76,743 hectares of forest land were diverted, accounting for nearly 22% of the total diversion, with a large share of it reported in Punjab.

• After a decade of relative stability where annual diversions typically hovered between 13,000 and 18,000 hectares, there was a significant spike in 2023-24. This coincides with the implementation of updated forest conservation guidelines.

• Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, and Odisha account for the largest share of forest land diverted, together representing the top three states by total area. Along with Telangana and Jharkhand, they make up about 54% of all forest diversion recorded during the period.

• A substantial share of diversion is concentrated in the resource-rich states of Odisha, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh, which together contribute roughly one-fifth of the total forest area diverted at the national level.

• While Punjab’s position is driven by an outlier year with nearly 91% of its total forest diversion recorded in 2009–10, Madhya Pradesh’s diversion reflects a consistent pattern, featuring among the top contributors in almost every fiscal year.

• Recent data highlights a shift toward the Northeast, particularly Arunachal Pradesh. In the latest 2024-25 figures, it ranks as the third-highest state for diversion, indicating increased infrastructure and development activities in the said region.

• Infrastructure-led projects dominate forest diversion, with roads (22,233 ha), mining and quarrying (18,913 ha), and hydel/irrigation projects (17,434 ha) together accounting for nearly 60% of the total area approved for non-forestry use between 2020-21 and 2024-25.

• Energy and utility-related clearances also form a significant share with power transmission lines (13,859 ha), defence projects (6,041 ha), and railways (5,958 ha), collectively representing another major block of diversion.

Why does it matter?

The diversion of forest land reflects a trade-off between India’s development goals and the stability of its natural ecosystems. While the benefits of forests are well known, converting them for roads, mining, or industry often leads to habitat loss and increased conflict between people and wildlife. The 2026 amendment allows private entities to take up plantation projects on degraded forest land. However, these plantations are often monocultures that may increase green cover on paper but cannot replace the biodiversity and ecological value of natural forests. The Comptroller and Auditor General of India had earlier highlighted gaps in data and monitoring by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, raising concerns about how effectively forest diversion and restoration are being tracked.

Key Numbers

• Forest area diverted (2008–09 to 2024–25): 3.5+ lakh ha

• Project-wise share (2020-21–2024-25):
  → Roads – 22,233 ha
  → Mining & Quarrying – 18,914 ha
  → Hydel/Irrigation – 17,434 ha
  (≈ 60% of total diversion)

• Regional concentration:
  → Top 5 states (Punjab, MP, Odisha, Telangana, Jharkhand) – 54% of total