Calls on Union Environment Minister in New Delhi
Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today called on Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupendra Yadav in New Delhi and urged the Centre to recognise Himachal Pradesh’s actual forest and tree cover of 29.5 percent for all calculations related to forest, ecology and central allocations.
During the meeting, the Chief Minister highlighted a discrepancy between the officially recorded forest cover of 27.99 percent and the actual green cover, which includes Trees Outside Forest (ToF). He said the difference arises due to the non-inclusion of trees on private and non-forest lands in the consolidated assessment of the State’s ecological contribution.
He informed that Himachal Pradesh exercises strict regulatory control over tree harvesting even on private lands, but does not receive due recognition or policy credit from the Centre for these conservation efforts. This, he said, places the State at a disadvantage despite its strong commitment to environmental protection.
The Chief Minister emphasized that the additional 1.5 percent tree cover plays a crucial role in conserving green cover and preventing ecological degradation in the fragile Himalayan region. He urged that this component be formally acknowledged while determining allocations under the Finance Commission and other central frameworks linked to forest and environmental parameters.
He stated that failure to recognise Trees Outside Forest leads to an undervaluation of Himachal Pradesh’s contribution to national ecosystem services and creates a bias against States that actively protect and regulate tree cover beyond notified forest areas.
The Chief Minister also apprised the Union Minister of various initiatives undertaken by the State Government to expand forest and tree cover on non-forest and private lands as part of its long-term environmental strategy.
Union Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav assured the Chief Minister of all possible support from the Ministry.
The Chief Minister was accompanied by his Principal Advisor Ram Subhag Singh during the meeting.
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