06 March,2026 04:11 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
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Maharashtra's environmental health presents a mixed picture, with an increase in tree cover and encouraging gains in wildlife conservation, even as core forests shrink and pollution levels in major rivers continue to rise, according to the state's Economic Survey 2025-26 tabled in the legislature on Thursday, reported news agency PTI.
The survey highlights that while initiatives such as social forestry programmes, urban greening projects and conservation measures have improved certain ecological indicators, growing urbanisation, forest degradation and insufficient sewage treatment infrastructure continue to exert pressure on the state's environment.
According to the survey, Maharashtra's total forest cover currently stands at 50,859 square kilometres, accounting for 16.5 per cent of the state's geographical area of 3,07,713 sq km. This remains significantly lower than the 33 per cent benchmark recommended under the National Forest Policy, reported PTI.
The report also notes that the state recorded a decline of 54.47 sq km in forest cover compared to the 2021 assessment.
Importantly, the survey clarifies that forest area and tree cover are distinct environmental indicators. Forest area refers to land legally notified as forest by the government, including reserved and protected forests. These areas may not necessarily contain dense vegetation and could include degraded land, wetlands or alpine grasslands, reported PTI.
Tree cover, on the other hand, refers to clusters of trees less than one hectare in size or scattered trees outside designated forests, such as roadside plantations, canal-side trees or small patches in agricultural fields.
Despite the decline in forest cover, Maharashtra ranks first in the country in terms of tree cover outside forest areas.
The India State of Forest Report 2023 estimates that the state has 14,525 sq km of tree cover, representing 4.7 per cent of its geographical area. This figure has grown steadily in recent years - from 10,806 sq km in 2019 to 12,108 sq km in 2021, and further to 14,525 sq km in 2023, reported PTI.
The survey attributes this increase largely to social forestry initiatives, plantation drives and urban greening programmes implemented across the state.
However, environmental experts cited in the survey caution that increased tree cover does not fully compensate for the ecological damage caused by the degradation of natural forests, which play a crucial role in biodiversity conservation, carbon storage and maintaining ecological balance.
The survey notes some encouraging developments in conservation efforts.
Maharashtra currently has 315.09 sq km of mangrove cover, accounting for around 6.3 per cent of India's total mangrove area. To strengthen protection, the state government has notified 11,548 hectares of mangroves as reserved forests, reported PTI.
Wildlife conservation has also yielded positive results. The state's tiger population increased from 312 in 2018 to 444 in 2022, reflecting the impact of habitat protection and conservation programmes.
Despite these gains, the survey raises serious concerns about water pollution in major rivers, particularly those flowing through urban centres.
Data from the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board shows that the Mithi River in Mumbai continues to record extremely high pollution levels, with biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) at 101.8 mg per litre and faecal coliform levels at 1,882.2 mg per litre, reported PTI.
Similarly, the Mula-Mutha River in Pune remains heavily polluted, with high levels of BOD and faecal contamination due to untreated sewage and urban waste discharge.
A major contributor to river pollution is the gap in sewage treatment capacity across the state.
The survey states that only 51.4 per cent of the sewage generated in Maharashtra was treated during 2025-26 up to December, meaning nearly half of the wastewater continues to flow untreated into rivers and other water bodies.
However, the state has performed relatively better in solid waste management. Of the 5.44 lakh metric tonnes of solid waste generated daily in 2024-25, about 81.8 per cent was processed or treated, according to the report.
The state government has launched several initiatives to strengthen environmental protection, including the âMajhi Vasundhara Abhiyaan', which involves more than 27,000 gram panchayats in efforts to promote environmental awareness, improve waste management and expand green cover, reported PTI.
Nevertheless, the survey suggests that while these initiatives have produced visible improvements in areas such as tree plantations and wildlife conservation, they are yet to fully offset the environmental pressures created by rapid economic growth, industrial expansion and urbanisation in Maharashtra.
(With inputs from PTI)
