Rapid shrinkage of forest cover is threatening to tilt the ecological balance in Assam. During the last couple of years about 147 square kilometre forest cover has disappeared in the State causing serious damage to animal habitats.The State at present has nearly 18,000 square kilometre of reserve forest area, about 9000 square kilometre of unclassed forest area. Another 4,000 square kilometre area has been marked as proposed forest area.