Himachal Pradesh Targets 31% Forest Cover by 2030, CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu Directs Sustainable Plantation Roadmap

Himachal Pradesh has set an ambitious target to increase its forest cover to 31 per cent by 2030, with Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Monday directing the Forest Department to prepare a comprehensive and sustainable action plan to achieve the goal.

Chairing a high-level review meeting of the department, the Chief Minister said the state’s existing forest cover stands at 29.5 per cent and needs to be expanded through a scientific and environmentally responsible approach. He stressed that climate change and global warming have become serious global challenges, making environmental conservation a top priority for the government.

Sukhu noted that nearly 16,376 square kilometres of the state comprises snow-bound, barren or mountainous terrain where plantation is not feasible. He instructed officials to identify suitable plantation sites across districts and develop a phased, area-specific strategy to maximise green cover.

Emphasising ecological sustainability, the Chief Minister directed the department to prioritise native species, fruit-bearing plants and medicinal trees. He said such plantations would not only help maintain ecological balance but also provide livelihood opportunities for local communities. He added that efforts should focus equally on protecting and conserving existing forests alongside creating new green areas.

Highlighting the importance of public participation, Sukhu referred to the ‘Rajiv Gandhi Van Samvardhan Yojana’, which encourages community involvement in plantation and forest conservation. Under the scheme, plantations were carried out over 924.9 hectares last year with the participation of 285 Mahila Mandals, 70 Yuvak Mandals, 59 Self Help Groups and 13 community-based organisations.

The government provides financial assistance of ₹2.40 lakh for plantation over two hectares to participating groups, along with annual incentives linked to survival rates of saplings. According to the Chief Minister, the initiative has received a positive response across the state.

For the next financial year, the government has set a target to undertake plantations across 5,000 hectares under the scheme. Of this, around 3,376 hectares have already been identified, while efforts are underway to finalise the remaining 1,624 hectares.

The Chief Minister also reviewed the progress of other forest conservation and development schemes during the meeting.

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