Shimla: In a significant move, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has made a strong appeal to the Central Government to officially recognize the state's actual forest and tree cover, which stands at 29.5%, for all calculations pertaining to forest ecology. This includes critical financial allocations such as those from the Finance Commission awards and other central funding mechanisms.
Addressing the Discrepancy in Forest Cover Data
During a high-level meeting held in New Delhi on Tuesday with Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupendra Yadav, Chief Minister Sukhu brought attention to a notable discrepancy between the officially recorded forest cover of 27.99% and the state's genuine green cover of 29.5%. He elaborated that this gap primarily exists because trees located outside designated forest areas are not included in the consolidated assessment of the state's forest and tree cover.
Impact on Conservation Efforts and Central Allocations
Sukhu emphasized that despite Himachal Pradesh exercising stringent regulatory control over tree harvesting on private and non-forest lands, the state has not received due credit from the central government for these extensive conservation efforts. He pointed out that this oversight results in an undervaluation of the state's role in providing national ecosystem services and inadvertently creates a bias against states that actively protect and regulate tree cover beyond notified forest boundaries.
The ecological significance of trees outside forests cannot be overstated, Sukhu stated, highlighting that this 1.5% component plays a crucial role in conserving green cover and preventing ecological degradation in the fragile Himalayan region. He urged the Centre to formally incorporate this component when assessing forest cover to ensure that Himachal Pradesh's genuine contribution to environmental protection and ecosystem services is fairly acknowledged.
State Initiatives and Central Assurance
During the meeting, Chief Minister Sukhu also briefed Union Minister Bhupendra Yadav about various initiatives undertaken by the Himachal Pradesh government to expand forest and tree cover on private and non-forest lands. These efforts are part of the state's broader strategy to enhance its green infrastructure and combat climate change impacts.
In response, Union Minister Yadav assured Chief Minister Sukhu of all possible support from the Centre, indicating a positive step towards addressing the concerns raised. This assurance is seen as a hopeful sign for the state's ongoing environmental conservation projects and its quest for equitable recognition in central allocations.
The discussion underscores the importance of accurate data representation in forest cover assessments, which directly influences financial support and policy decisions at the national level. By advocating for the inclusion of trees outside forests, Himachal Pradesh aims to set a precedent for other states with similar ecological profiles, ensuring that conservation efforts are duly recognized and rewarded.
