Himachal CM sets target to raise forest cover to 31% by 2030

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Monday directed the Forest Department to prepare a roadmap to increase the state’s forest cover to 31 per cent by 2030. The move comes as part of the government’s broader efforts to tackle climate change and strengthen environmental conservation.

The state currently has a forest cover of around 29.5 per cent, according to the government, though official figures place it slightly lower at 28 per cent. Sukhu noted that a significant portion of the state nearly 16,376 square kilometres is snow-covered, barren, or mountainous, where plantation is not feasible, and instructed officials to identify suitable areas for afforestation in each district.

The CM stressed that the drive should focus on native species, fruit-bearing trees, and medicinal plants , while also protecting existing forests. He urged the active participation of local communities under initiatives like the Rajiv Gandhi Van Samvardhan Yojana , which promotes community-led plantation efforts. Last year, plantations under this scheme covered 924.9 hectares, with participation from 285 Mahila Mandals, 70 Yuvak Mandals, 59 Self Help Groups, and 13 community-based organisations.

Under the scheme, the state provides financial assistance of ₹2.40 lakh for plantations over two hectares , along with annual incentives based on survival rates. Sukhu said that for the next financial year, a target has been set to plant trees over 5,000 hectares, of which 3,376 hectares have already been identified.

By way of comparison, most Himalayan and northeastern states have much higher forest cover, with Arunachal Pradesh at around 79 per cent, Mizoram 85 per cent, and Uttarakhand 45 per cent. Southern states like Telangana and Andhra Pradesh , however, lag behind with forest cover below 20 per cent. At the national level, India’s forest cover stands at roughly 21.5 per cent, below the 33 per cent benchmark recommended for ecological balance.

The Himachal government’s new afforestation push is part of a larger effort to not only expand forested areas but also enhance community involvement and environmental awareness across the state.