Himachal Pradesh targets raising state forest cover to 31 percent
Source:The Hindu ↗
Why It Matters
Questions regarding Himachal Pradesh's forest cover percentages, recorded forest areas, and environmental targets frequently feature in HPAS Prelims under Himachal geography and ecological conservation.
Summary
The Himachal Pradesh government has announced plans to scale up the State's total forest cover from the current 29.5% to 31%, reflecting administrative focus on environmental sustainability, ecological conservation, and afforestation initiatives.
Key Points
- The Himachal Pradesh government has set a target to increase the State's forest cover from the current 29.5% to 31%.
- The initiative emphasizes expanding green cover, boosting afforestation drives, and ecological restoration across the hill state.
- Forest cover statistics, recorded forest areas, and canopy densities are recurring themes in HPAS Prelims geography and environment questions.
Important Terms
Himachal Pradesh Government
The executive branch responsible for policy formulation, governance, and administration in Himachal Pradesh, including environmental policies and afforestation targets.
UPSC context
HPAS Paper II & III: Evaluates state governance, policy initiatives, administrative priorities, and sustainable development frameworks in Himachal Pradesh.
Forest Department Himachal Pradesh
The state administrative body tasked with forest conservation, wildlife management, afforestation initiatives, and implementing environmental policies in Himachal Pradesh.
UPSC context
HPAS Paper II & III: Tests knowledge of state administrative machinery, environmental management, and ecological conservation programs in Himachal Pradesh.
Prelims Trap
Current forest cover of 29.5% represents the legal recorded forest area of the State.
Aspirants often confuse 'Recorded Forest Area' (legal status) with 'Forest Cover' (canopy density based on remote sensing). The two percentages differ significantly in official reports.
Static Concepts Connected
What are the key categories of legal status of forests in Himachal Pradesh under the Indian Forest Act, 1927?
- Reserved Forests: Constitutes the highest degree of protection; all activities are prohibited unless specifically permitted.
- Protected Forests: Local rights are generally permitted unless specifically prohibited by government notification.
- Unclassed Forests: Forest areas belonging to government or private individuals/communities where legal status is not clearly defined.
Cross-Topic Patterns
HP Forest Targets + National Climate Action
HP forest cover targets directly tie into climate mitigation pledges under India's NDC (National Determined Contributions) and green energy corridors.
Afforestation + Himachal Disaster Management Strategy
Expanding green cover in ecologically fragile zones intersects directly with disaster management policies for landslide mitigation.
Expect matching questions on HP recorded forest area percentages, specific afforestation schemes, and Indian State of Forest Report (ISFR) data.
Linked PYQs · 2
Linked PYQs · 2
- 2024HPAS_PRELIMSGS1
Match the forest cover area/type with their total area in Himachal Pradesh (2021) : | List I (Density/Total Forest Cover) | List II (Area in sq. kms.) | |---|---| | (a) Very dense forest above 70 percent | (i) 7,100 | | (b) Moderate dense forest 40 to 70 percent | (ii) 5,180 | | (c) Open forest 10 percent to 40 percent | (iii) 15,443 | | (d) Total forest cover | (iv) 3,163 | Choose the correct options : Code: (a) (b) (c) (d)
- 2022HPAS_PRELIMSGS1
Select the correct statements from the following : (i) Supreme Court of India has allowed the State for silviculture green felling of three species on experimental basis. (ii) Forests in H.P. cover an area of 37947 sq. kms of total geographical area of the state (iii) In H.P. presently 30% of the total geographical areas support forest cover. (iv) The aim of the forest department is to enhance the forest cover in the state to 35% of its geographical area by 2030.
