3.5 Lakh Trees Illegally Felled in Maharashtra Forest Areas Over Five Years

The disclosure of the illegal felling of 3.5 lakh trees has raised concerns over environmental conservation in Maharashtra. Forest Minister Ganesh Naik presented the official data to the state legislative assembly in Mumbai on Thursday, July 2, 2026, revealing the scale of deforestation over the past five years.

According to the minister's written reply, the illegal activities have resulted in an estimated financial loss of Rs 30 crore to the state exchequer. The queries regarding this environmental damage were originally raised by Shiv Sena MLA Nilesh Rane along with other MLAs in the assembly.

The data showed that out of the 3.5 lakh trees cut down illegally in Maharashtra's forest areas, a total of 1.24 lakh were teak trees. Teak is a highly valuable timber species, and its widespread illegal extraction has contributed heavily to the multi-crore financial loss suffered by the state government.

Beyond the financial impact, Forest Minister Naik emphasized the ecological consequences of the illegal logging. He stated that these incidents of tree felling highlight the ongoing human-wildlife conflict across several regions of the state. The depletion of forest cover directly affects the natural habitats of wild animals, often leading to increased conflict with local human populations.

The written response was submitted to address the formal queries tabled by MLA Nilesh Rane and other legislators who sought clarity on the extent of forest degradation. The state's official records now confirm the loss of 3.5 lakh trees over the five-year period, marking a significant challenge for forest administration and environmental protection efforts in Maharashtra.