Rapid deforestation on a hillslope in Upper Lumparing is a matter of concern for a retired forest official who is worried about the potentially grave consequences.
The official, who chose to remain anonymous, told Highland Post recently that the area was once barren land but had been handed to the Forest Department for reforestation in 1985 by the late Anthony Lyngdoh, then the MLA of the erstwhile Laban constituency.
Over the course of 30 years, the area on the southern boundary of the city under Shillong Peak had been transformed into a densely forested region, in shining example of a success story.
However, in the last decade, the good that had been done is being slowly eroded, with rampant deforestation and encroachment threatening permanent destruction.
The retired official’s plea comes as a warning to the citizens of Shillong, urging them to take immediate action to stop further encroachment into the forest. He emphasised the importance of maintaining the natural state of the forest, highlighting the devastating consequences of deforestation, including loss of biodiversity, increased greenhouse gas emissions and negative impacts on local communities.
Last month, the Meghalaya High Court expressed shock over indiscriminate and large-scale illegal felling of trees in Lawsohtun area and had sought a report from the concerned DFO.
Deforestation and forest degradation are pressing global issues, with the world losing nearly 16 million acres of forest in 2023 alone.
The latest India State of Forest Report (ISFR), which was released in December last year, showed a decline of more than 8,400 hectares of forest cover in Meghalaya between 2021-23. However, last month the Chief Minister claimed that Meghalaya added nearly 22,000 hectares of forest cover in the past seven years.
