CAG report highlights decline in forest cover, wildlife in state

Ranchi: The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has presented a report in the Jharkhand Assembly revealing a decline in both forested land and wildlife population in the state. The report attributed the situation to a shortage of staff in the forest department, underutilisation of funds, delays in completing projects, and inadequate conservation measures.

Between 2017 and 2021, forested land decreased by 2.60%, while vacant forest land increased by 13.51%, and construction activities in ecologically sensitive zones rose by 22.35%. The report blamed the absence of regional master plans, poor security arrangements, and insufficient protective initiatives for the shrinking green cover.

The audit also found no improvement in wildlife numbers within protected forest areas, citing the lack of safe habitats for wild animals, inadequate measures to curb hunting of carnivores, and insufficient grazing resources for herbivores.

According to data, the total wildlife population stood at 20,028 in 2017-18 but dropped to 19,882 in 2020-21. In 2018-19 alone, there was a 38% decline, with 7,660 fewer wild animals recorded. Although 2020-21 saw a reported 64% increase, with 7,778 animals added, the CAG noted that such sharp fluctuations point to unreliable wildlife census practices.

The Palamu Tiger Reserve (PTR) is facing an alarming crisis, with tiger numbers dropping drastically. Between 2000 and 2005, PTR had 34 to 46 tigers, but by 2022 only one was recorded. The prey base has also declined sharply, from an estimated 85,666 in 2012-13 to just 4,411 in 2022-23. The dwindling prey population is seen as a major factor behind the near extinction of tigers in PTR.