Goa has witnessed a significant decline in its tree cover over the past decade, according to the latest data released by the Union Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) in its EnviStats India 2025: Environment Statistics report.
The data reveals that Goa’s tree cover, which stood at 334 sq km in 2010–11, has dropped to 258 sq km in 2021–22 — a reduction of 76 sq km or approximately 22.75 per cent over a span of 12 years.
The year-wise figures indicate a steady decline: 325 sq km in 2013–14, 323 sq km in 2015–16, dropping more significantly to 272 sq km in 2017–18, then to 260 sq km in 2019–20, and finally to 258 sq km in 2021–22.
Among other Goa-specific highlights, the report notes a marginal decline in forest cover from 2,267.22 sq km in 2021 to 2,265.72 sq km in 2023.
The State's fish production also saw a decrease from 140.31 tonnes in 2022–23 to 135.73 tonnes in 2023–24. The fisherfolk population across 41 fishing villages in Goa is recorded at 12,651.
Hazardous waste generation, as per annual returns (measured in Metric Tonnes per Annum or MTA), increased significantly from 28,484 MTA to 44,873 MTA.
The report also highlighted pressing concerns regarding sanitation, with 3.7 per cent of households lacking access to proper facilities or resorting to open defecation. The slum population in the State stands at 2.89 per cent.
In terms of climate-related incidents, eight lives were lost in Goa due to natural extreme events during 2023–24, with 290 houses reported damaged. Provisional figures for 2024–25 indicate four lives lost and damage to 696 houses.
The area under organic farming registered with accredited certification bodies is 21,960.97 hectares, of which 12,287.40 hectares are under cultivation and 9,673.57 hectares under wild collection.