India, April 28 -- Environmental activists and birders have raised concerns over rampant habitat destruction in Bhondsi and Mangar forests, accusing the forest department of negligence that is pushing these ecologically sensitive areas toward irreversible damage. During a recent visit near a farmhouse in Mangar village, birders counted over 50 freshly cut trees, exposing large-scale deforestation in the Mangar Bani forest, a critical biodiversity hotspot.

In Bhondsi, visitors found a volleyball net and loudspeakers set up inside the core birding zone- activities that are strictly prohibited but are taking place, further threatening the fragile ecosystem.

"This volleyball court has come up only in the last 10 days. I have been visiting B...