90% of Contested Reserve Forest Area Cultivated by Farmers, Igniting Tensions Over Ecology and Survival
The Pune reserve forest dispute has reached a critical tipping point, with Maharashtra Forest Department data revealing an alarming 90% (1,350 hectares) of the 1,500 hectares under litigation is currently being used for agriculture. This escalating conflict between conservation efforts and agrarian livelihoods in the Western Ghats—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—now threatens both fragile ecosystems and the survival of 3,200+ farming families.
Roots of the Conflict: A Historical Perspective
The current Pune reserve forest dispute stems from decades of ambiguous land records. Many farmers claim their families have cultivated these lands since pre-Independence era, before the 1980 Forest Conservation Act classified the areas as “reserved forests.”
- Legal Limbo: 85% of affected farmers lack formal land titles
- Generational Dependence: 68% of surveyed families report farming as their sole income source (Source: Pune District Agriculture Office 2023)
- Delayed Surveys: Only 40% of disputed areas have been properly demarcated
“This land fed my grandfather and now feeds my children,” says Sunil More, a second-generation farmer in Velhe taluka. “If the government takes it, we become beggars overnight.”
The Heart of the Dispute
Reserve forests in India are legally protected areas aimed at conserving biodiversity and preventing ecological degradation. In Pune, however, decades of encroachments and unclear land records have resulted in widespread cultivation on these disputed lands. Many farmers assert ancestral ties to the area, claiming they have been farming the soil for generations, long before the land was designated as “reserved forest.” Without formal land titles, these farmers now face eviction as the forest department intensifies efforts to reclaim the territory.
“These farms are our only means of survival. Where will we go if the government takes this land?” asks Ramesh Pawar, a third-generation farmer from Velhe taluka. His concerns reflect the sentiments of many families living in the disputed areas, where agriculture is the backbone of their livelihood.
Environmental Alarm Bells
Conservationists warn of the potential for irreversible ecological damage. The reserve forests in Pune are part of the Western Ghats, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a global biodiversity hotspot. They argue that rampant farming has resulted in deforestation, soil erosion, and the loss of habitat for endangered species such as the Indian giant squirrel and the Malabar pied hornbill.
“Illegal agriculture in reserve forests poses a significant risk,” says Dr. Anika Joshi, an ecologist with the Pune Environmental Action Collective. “Every hectare cleared for crops disrupts fragile ecosystems and worsens climate vulnerabilities, such as water scarcity and landslides.”
Legal Tangles and Governance Challenges
The forest department emphasizes that its actions are based on legal authority. “Our mandate is to protect forests for future generations. Encroachments, even those that occurred historically, cannot be accepted,” states Chief Conservator of Forests Rajesh Gupta. However, reclaiming land has been a challenging process. There are over 200 court cases, filed by both farmers and the government, that are still pending, highlighting the complex legal situation.
Activists criticize the state’s approach as overly aggressive. “Evictions without rehabilitation are unjust. The government must tackle the socio-economic roots of encroachment,” argues land rights advocate Meena Deshpande.
A Path Forward?
The Maharashtra government has suggested a balanced approach: possible land settlements for eligible farmers alongside reforestation initiatives. Proposals include granting land titles in non-forest areas or encouraging agroforestry—combining tree planting with sustainable agriculture.
Trust is scarce. Farmers demand transparency in land surveys, while environmental groups insist on stricter enforcement of forest laws. “Dialogue is essential,” says Pune District Collector Rajendra Bhosale. “We need solutions that balance ecology and empathy.”
The Bigger Picture
Pune’s struggle reflects a nationwide crisis. Between 2001 and 2022, India lost 2.33 million hectares of tree cover, according to Global Forest Watch. Encroachments and lax governance are often to blame. As climate change accelerates, the stakes continue to rise.
For now, Pune’s disputed forests remain a microcosm of a universal dilemma: Can humanity protect the planet without stripping vulnerable communities of their lifelines? The answer, experts say, lies in policies that are both ecologically rigorous and socially inclusive.