Himachal Pradesh Sets Target of 31% Forest Cover by 2030;Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu of Directs Sustainable Roadmap

The Himachal Pradesh government has set an ambitious target to increase the State’s forest cover to 31% by the year 2030, up from the current 29.5%. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has directed the Forest Department to prepare a comprehensive and time-bound roadmap to achieve the goal through sustainable planning and scientific management.

CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu:Chairing a high-level review meeting with senior officials of the Forest Department, the Chief Minister emphasized the need for a strategic approach that balances ecological preservation with developmental requirements. He instructed officials to identify degraded forest areas, promote large-scale afforestation drives, and strengthen community participation in conservation efforts.

Sukhu underlined that forest conservation is critical for Himachal Pradesh, a hill state highly vulnerable to climate change, landslides, and erratic weather patterns. He said enhancing forest cover would not only protect biodiversity but also improve water security, soil stability, and carbon sequestration capacity.

The Chief Minister also called for the use of modern technology, including satellite mapping and GIS-based monitoring systems, to track plantation progress and prevent encroachments. He stressed that survival rates of saplings must be prioritized over mere plantation numbers to ensure long-term ecological benefits.

Officials informed that the roadmap would include plantation of native species, restoration of degraded lands, strengthening of wildlife corridors, and promotion of agro-forestry in suitable areas. Special focus will also be given to increasing green cover in urban and peri-urban regions.

Sukhu reiterated that the State government is committed to environmental sustainability and aims to align its policies with national and global climate goals. He added that community involvement, especially through joint forest management committees and local panchayats, will be crucial in achieving the 2030 target.

The Forest Department has been asked to submit a detailed action plan outlining district-wise targets, budgetary requirements, and monitoring mechanisms in the coming weeks.