13,000 sq km forest encroached: Panel urges nationwide drone survey

A parliamentary panel has recommended the use of drone surveys across forest areas nationwide, calling it a crucial step to curb rising encroachment and illegal land transactions in ecologically sensitive zones.

In a report tabled in the Rajya Sabha on Friday, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science and Technology, Environment, Forests and Climate Change urged the Environment Ministry to direct all states and Union Territories to conduct systematic aerial mapping of forest lands and make the findings publicly available.

The panel said public access to such data would allow citizens and authorities to verify land status before any commercial activity, sale, or purchase , thereby reducing fraudulent transactions. It noted numerous cases of forest land being illegally converted or transferred, often involving a nexus between private parties, developers, and officials .

According to reports cited by the committee, nearly 13,000 square kilometres of forest land across 25 states has been illegally occupied, an area roughly equivalent to the size of a small Indian state. The panel described this as a serious threat to biodiversity, climate resilience, and the rights of forest-dependent communities.

The committee also pointed out that under the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Rules, 2023, framed under the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980, states and UTs must maintain consolidated records of all categories of forest land. However, it observed that it is unclear whether such information is available in the public domain or easily accessible.

Emphasising transparency, the panel said making survey reports public would strengthen accountability and help prevent illegal occupation before it becomes entrenched. Experts believe that technology-driven monitoring could significantly improve protection of India’s forests while supporting sustainable land governance.