Ranchi: The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has tabled a report in the Jharkhand Assembly highlighting a decline in both forest cover and wildlife populations in the state. The report blamed staff shortages in the forest department, underutilisation of funds, project delays, and weak conservation measures for the situation.
Between 2017 and 2021, the state’s forested land fell by 2.60%, while vacant forest land rose by 13.51%, and construction in ecologically sensitive zones increased by 22.35%. The absence of regional master plans, inadequate security, and poor protective initiatives were cited as key reasons for the shrinking green cover.
The audit also revealed no growth in wildlife within protected areas due to unsafe habitats, poor control over hunting of carnivores, and limited grazing resources for herbivores.
Data showed that the total wildlife population was 20,028 in 2017-18, which dropped to 19,882 in 2020-21. In 2018-19 alone, numbers fell by 38%, with 7,660 fewer animals recorded. Although there was a 64% increase in 2020-21 with 7,778 animals added, the CAG noted that such abrupt fluctuations raise questions over the credibility of the wildlife census.
The Palamu Tiger Reserve (PTR) is in deep crisis. From 34–46 tigers recorded between 2000 and 2005, the number fell to just one in 2022. The prey base has also collapsed—from an estimated 85,666 in 2012-13 to only 4,411 in 2022-23—contributing to the near disappearance of tigers in PTR.