Criteria tweak ‘cuts’ Assam forest by 99%

{ DEFINING A FOREST

- Jayashree Nandi

A retired forest official has flagged how Assam’s restrictive technical criteria to define what is a forest led to 99% of acknowledged woodland — roughly 1,153 of 1,168 hectares — in Dima Hasao region to be stripped of forest safeguards.

The dramatic reduction, detailed in a February Central Empowered Committee report, occurred despite state authorities acknowledging the area consists of “unclassed state forest” with 20% to 70% tree cover that “falls within the definition of forest as per the order of the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India.”

The revelation comes amid growing concerns about states undermining Supreme Court orders through narrow definitions. Earlier this week, Haryana redefined the “dictionary meaning” of forest with criteria that activists say could exclude most of the state's remaining Aravalli forests from legal protection.

The Assam controversy relates to a project in Dima Hasao, a hill district characterised by rugged mountainous terrain and significant natural forest cover. The region is part of the North Cachar Hills, falling within a biodiversity-rich landscape.

The Central Empowered Committee (CEC) of the Supreme Court, while probing an application by a cement company to refund money paid for forest clearance formalities, found that the firm contended that seven new limestone mining blocks adjacent to its existing mine in Dima Hasao did not require forest clearance. The company had paid ₹56.85 crores in compensatory afforestation costs, net present value, tree operation costs and other fees for clearing its original site as part of environment protection regulations.