Economic Survey Shows Shrinking Forests And Rising River Pollution
Source:hindustantimes ↗
Why It Matters
Provides critical statistics on Maharashtra's forest distribution, environmental indicators, and river pollution trends which are frequently targeted in MPSC Combined Prelims geography and governance sections.
Summary
According to the Economic Survey of Maharashtra, natural forests are shrinking while tree cover increases, alongside rising water pollution in major rivers across the state. These findings provide vital data points for understanding Maharashtra's contemporary environmental profile, forest distribution, and ecological challenges.
Key Points
- The Economic Survey of Maharashtra highlights contrasting trends with tree cover growing while natural forests shrink across parts of the state.
- River pollution levels across major river basins in Maharashtra are showing a rising trend, highlighting mounting environmental and urban sewage challenges.
- Data from state economic indicators serve as crucial factual inputs for MPSC questions concerning Maharashtra's physical environment, geography, and socio-economic indicators.
Important Terms
Economic Survey of Maharashtra
An annual statutory document presented by the state government detailing Maharashtra's macroeconomic performance, sectoral growth trends, fiscal health, and socio-economic indicators across agriculture, industry, and environment.
UPSC context
MPSC Paper I (Economy & Planning) and Paper V (State Policies): Tests analytical knowledge of Maharashtra's macro-data, resource allocation, and environmental indices.
Maharashtra Government
The executive branch of the state government responsible for policy formulation, administrative governance, statutory planning, and resource management across Maharashtra.
UPSC context
MPSC Paper II & III (Polity and Governance): Essential for understanding administrative accountability, statutory reporting, and decentralized governance mechanisms.
Static Concepts Connected
What are the key provisions and targets of the National Forest Policy, 1988 regarding forest cover?
- Geographical Target: Aim for one-third (33%) of the total geographical area of the country to be under forest or tree cover.
- Hilly Regions: To achieve a minimum of 33% forest cover in the hills and mountainous regions to prevent erosion and slope instability.
- Primary Objective: Maintenance of environmental stability and restoration of ecological balance that has been adversely disturbed.
Cross-Topic Patterns
Tree Cover Expansion vs. Natural Forest Loss
The paradox of rising tree cover alongside shrinking dense natural forests frequently links state economic indicators with National Forest Policy targets in MPSC geography questions.
Urban Sewage and River Pollution Trends
State economic surveys track river pollution alongside urbanization metrics, connecting MPSC questions on urban governance with water pollution management under state pollution control boards.
Expect a multi-statement question on Maharashtra's forest statistics (total forest cover %, National Forest Policy target, and tree cover ranking).
Linked PYQs · 2
Linked PYQs · 2
- 2026MPSC_PRELIMSGS1
Match the following forest circles with their share in percentage to total forest area of Maharashtra. | (Forest circles of Maharashtra) | (Percentage to total forest area Economic survey of Maharashtra (2024)) | |---|---| | (a) Gadchiroli | (1) 12.5 | | (b) Nagpur | (2) 20.8 | | (c) Dhule | (3) 9.5 | | (d) Thane | (4) 10.4 | Code: (a) (b) (c) (d)
- 2010MPSC_PRELIMSGS1
Forest area in Maharashtra is ________ % of its geographical area.
