(a) whether encroachment on forest land by humans is the main cause of the extinction of species of animals;
(b) if so, whether the Government is aware that the number of persons involved in illegal forest land encroachment is increasing day by day despite Hon’ble Supreme Court`s orders in the year 1996;
(c) if so, whether the Government is taking any action to deal with this problem; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (SHRI NAMO NARAIN MEENA)
(a) Biotic pressure on forests increases with encroachment on forest lands. Though, encroachment may not be the direct and the main cause of extinction of animal species, however it certainly makes flora and fauna vulnerable for extinction.
(b) to (d) As per the information received from various State/Union Territory Governments, about 14.95 lakh hectare of forest land is under encroachment in the country. In compliance with the Supreme Court’s order, the Ministry of Environment and Forests have issued directions on 3rd May, 2002 to various State/UT Governments to evict the in-eligible encroachers from the forest lands in a time bound manner as per the guidelines issued in September,1990 after consultation with the States. Further, State/UT Governments have been requested to monitor the eviction process at the highest level and to fix responsibility for inaction on the officials. As per the reports received from various States/UTs, encroachments have been evicted from about 1.52 lakh hectare of forest land so far during last two years.