India, Sept. 18 -- The forest resources of India have always been a victim of encroachments ever since India attained freedom in 1947. Because of land hunger and involvement of politicians and social activists, the encroachments on forests have been given different colour and explanation by different groups. It is a well-known fact that India's food and water security is dependent on a healthy forest resource. The forest land encroachment has evolved into a chronic environmental and socio-political crisis, eroding biodiversity, exacerbating climate vulnerability, and displacing tribal and rural poor communities. Driven by population pressures, economic demands, and weak institutional frameworks, this issue has been significantly worsened ...