JHARSUGUDA, March 25 -- The lush green forests that once adorned Jharsuguda district are dwindling at an alarming rate, with industry expansion and developmental projects swallowing up acres of precious vegetation. A grim forecast by environmentalists suggests that if current trends persist, the district might be stripped of its forests by the end of the 21st century.
With a significant 35 percent forest cover in its geographical expanse, Jharsuguda district is witnessing a rapid decline in greenery. Over the past three decades, the establishment of more than 20 major industrial units and mines has contributed to the district's development but at the cost of its natural landscape. The separation from the Sambalpur Forest Division in 2013 f...