Madhya Pradesh has lost 32 sq km of forest cover due to the dam construction, especially on the river Narmada, state forest minister Sartaj Singh said here on Thursday.

"Though Madhya Pradesh had a forest cover of 95,411 sq km, the largest in the country, we lost 32 sq km of it due to dams constructed in the state, especially on Narmada," said Singh.

He added that the agencies pay compensation for deforestation to the central government which in turn diverts it to the state for afforestation. These agencies have paid around Rs 700 crore towards the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning (CAMPA) for the damage caused to 32 sq km but the state has only received Rs 53 crore out of it this year.

"If we are going to get such a little installment, it will take several years for us to get the money and make up for the loss," he said.

The state has urged the centre to release more funds from the CAMPA to expedite afforestation drive. The minister said that the state government has taken up strong measures to ensure that the forest cover doesn't shrink besides taking tough measures against the illegal felling of trees.

“Saplings of around four crore bamboo trees have been planted this year adding that efforts are on to ensure that they develop into a rich forest,” Singh said, “We are impounding the vehicles involved in illegal felling of trees and also ensuring that the accused do not get bail easily. We have taken stringent action against the mafia involved in illicit cutting of trees."

"Even the people of forest department having connection with those involved in illicit felling of trees have not been spared. They too were punished as per the rules," he added.

Clearing doubts about the powers with the forest department officials, he said that they can use firearms against the armed people who use force to carry out illicit felling of trees.