Forest cover being mapped to ascertain encroachment

Mumbai: The Thane forest department is carrying out a study of forest cover in the district to ascertain destruction and encroachment of forest areas. Along with IIT-Bombay, it has been analysing satellite images of forest areas on a real-time basis while comparing forest cover with the past timeline.

“The pilot project involves mapping the forest areas of Thane district, which is the most affected area as far as encroachment is concerned. The IIT-Bombay will be conducting the study by assessing multi-time satellite data. Maps will be prepared for a series of timelines, which will show how land use has changed since 2000,” said Jitendra Ramgao-nkar, deputy conservator of forests, Thane division.

A recent observation by IIT-Bombay about changing land use in Thane highlighted that the urban area has expanded towards Vasai-Virar in the north and Bhiwandi in the east along the Central Railway line on one side and across the Thane creek to Navi Mumbai on the other side. Such urbanisation may encroach eco-sensitive zones like Sanjay Gandhi National Park and the Karnala Bird Sanctuary.

Apart from urban development, encroachment by slum dwellers has taken a toll on forest areas across the Parsik hill range like Kalwa, Mumbra and Digha, said Mr Ramgaonkar. “Although we haven’t got major new cases of encroachment, the older ones keep reappearing at these sites after demolition. We have also started the work of constructing a compound wall at these sites,” he said.

Thane has the highest encroachment cases, according to state forest department, amounting to 49,463 cases till 2018.

Since the last two years, encroachment of forest areas has almost doubled, according to forest officials. According to the Union environment ministry, 60,400 ha out of the state’s total forest cover of 6,157,900 ha is reeling under encroachment. Out of this, only 6,600 ha has been cleared of encroachment, which is only 10 per cent of the affected forest cover.