CM Sukhu Meets Union Environment Minister, Seeks Recognition of Higher Tree Cover in Central Allocations.
New Delhi:
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Tuesday called on Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupendra Yadav in New Delhi and urged the Centre to recognize the State’s actual forest and tree cover of 29.5 per cent for all calculations related to forest, ecology and Central allocations.
During the meeting, the Chief Minister apprised the Union Minister of a discrepancy between the officially recorded forest and tree cover of 27.99 per cent and the State’s actual cover of 29.5 per cent. He explained that the gap arises due to the non-inclusion of Trees outside Forest (ToF) in the consolidated representation of Himachal Pradesh’s forest and tree cover.
The Chief Minister pointed out that Himachal Pradesh exercises strict regulatory control over tree harvesting on private and non-forest lands under various legal provisions, despite which the State does not receive due credit from the Central Government. He emphasized that Trees outside Forest play a crucial role in conserving green cover and preventing ecological degradation, particularly in the fragile Himalayan region.
Highlighting the ecological significance, CM Sukhu stressed the need to include the additional 1.5 per cent tree cover in official forest cover assessments to reflect the State’s true contribution to forestry and environmental conservation. He urged that the full 29.5 per cent forest and tree cover be recognized for all calculations relating to forest and ecology, including those under the Finance Commission and other Central Government allocation frameworks.
The Chief Minister further demanded that the 1.5 per cent Trees outside Forest component be acknowledged as a legitimate and policy-relevant contribution to ecosystem services, conservation efforts and environmental governance. He stated that undervaluing the ToF component effectively undermines Himachal Pradesh’s contribution to national ecosystem services and creates a systemic bias against states that actively protect trees beyond notified forest areas.
CM Sukhu also briefed the Union Minister on various initiatives undertaken by the State Government to expand forest and tree cover on non-forest and private lands, reaffirming Himachal Pradesh’s commitment to sustainable environmental management.
Union Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav assured the Chief Minister of all possible support from the Centre in addressing the concerns raised by the State.
Chief Minister’s Principal Advisor Ram Subhag Singh accompanied the Chief Minister during the meeting.
