Assam lost 11.76 square kilometers of forest cover between 2021 and 2023, according to the India State Forest Report. Over five years, nearly 1,880 hectares of forest land were approved for diversion to non-forest uses like infrastructure projects. Forests act as critical carbon sinks, absorbing roughly 30 percent of human-caused carbon emissions globally. Clearing or burning forests releases stored carbon, accounting for 13 to 21 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. The article highlights the tension between development needs and forest preservation in Assam. While projects require land, the loss of tree cover reduces the state's ability to sequester carbon and regulate local climate. The editorial calls for stronger public awareness and more careful land-use planning to balance economic growth with climate goals.
