Shimla, Dec 24
As per a FSI report Himachal Pradesh has turned greener, but is not immune to threats.
The hill state, with a total geographical area of 55,673 square kilometers, has 27.99% of its land covered by forests. According to the Forest Survey of India (FSI) 2023 report, the total forested area in the state now stands at 15,580.35 square kilometers. This includes improvements in the categories of very dense forest (VDF), moderately dense forest (MDF), and open forest (OF), reflecting progress in conservation efforts.
The very dense forest area is 3,117.60 square kilometers, accounting for 5.60% of the total area. It increased by 5.60 square kilometers since the last survey. Moderately dense forests cover 7,280.29 square kilometers (13.08%), which saw the largest growth of 13.08 square kilometers. Open forest areas, at 5,182.46 square kilometers (9.31%), registered minimal changes. The scrub category, representing degraded land, remains relatively unchanged at 308.69 square kilometers.
District-wise analysis shows Sirmaur leading the state with the largest gain in forest cover, adding 20.46 square kilometers. Sirmaur also boasts the highest percentage of forest cover, with 50.12% of its total area under forests. Solan follows with a growth of 12.08 square kilometers, increasing its forest cover to 46.92%. Mandi recorded an increase of 9 square kilometers and has 45.32% of its area under forest. Shimla gained 4.12 square kilometers, and its forest cover now constitutes 47.46% of the district’s geographical area.
Kangra, Una, and Bilaspur showed smaller gains, with increases of 5.70, 2.70, and 2.11 square kilometers, respectively. However, not all districts recorded growth. Chamba and Kinnaur experienced declines in forest cover, losing 1.12 and 0.51 square kilometers, respectively. The reduction in Kinnaur’s forests is largely attributed to development projects, including hydropower.
Hamirpur, Kullu, and Lahaul-Spiti showed no significant changes in forest cover over the past four years. Chamba, despite its decrease, retains 37.66% of its area under forest cover, while Kinnaur stands at 27.26%.
Himachal Pradesh continues to play a crucial role in India’s ecological stability, ranking among the top forested states alongside Uttarakhand and Jammu & Kashmir. However, challenges such as deforestation due to infrastructure projects, forest fires, and the impact of climate change threaten the state’s progress. While the overall increase of 54.73 square kilometers since the 2021 assessment is encouraging, there is still a long way to achieve the target of 33% forest cover as recommended by the National Forest Policy.
Efforts to enhance afforestation, control illegal logging, and address forest degradation are essential to preserve Himachal Pradesh’s green heritage for future generations. The state’s forests are not only a vital resource for biodiversity but also serve as a critical component in combating climate change and maintaining the ecological balance in the Himalayan region.
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