More than two lakh hectares of forest land have been diverted in Odisha for non-forest activities like industry and mining in the last decade, forest minister Ganesh Ram Singkhuntia told the Assembly on Tuesday.
On the other hand, the state has gained 277.61 sq. km of forest cover in comparison to the previous year, the minister stated in a written reply.
In Odisha, over the last 10 years (2015–16 to 2024–25), 22,180.826 hectares of forest land have been diverted for mining, industrial, and infrastructure projects.
The diversion of forest land has been carried out in accordance with the law, the minister said.