Chandigarh forest cover up by 2.97 sq km in 4 years

With sustained efforts, the forest cover in the city has increased by 2.97 sq km in four years. In response to a question in the Lok Sabha, Kirti Vardhan Singh, Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, stated that in the last four years, the forest cover of Chandigarh has increased from 22.03 sq km in 2019 to 25 sq km in 2023 as per the India State of Forest Report (ISFR).

The report indicated there was a net increase of 2.97 sq km in the city’s forest cover as compared to the ISFR-2019, he added.

The Forest Survey of India (FSI), Dehradun, an organisation under the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, carries out the assessment of forest and tree cover of the country biennially and the findings are published in the ISFR. “The forest cover assessment is a wall-to-wall mapping exercise based on remote sensing supported by intensive ground verification and field data from the National Forest Inventory,” he stated.

The Minister attributed the increase in the forest cover to factors such as natural vegetation growth due to conservation efforts, afforestation initiatives, improved protection in forest and plantation areas, increase in trees outside forest areas, etc.

According to officials, the forest cover has gradually increased in the past years due to pro-active approach of the UT Administration and other agencies in enhancing and protecting forests and greenery in the city.

The forest cover went up from 13 sq km in 2001 to 25 sq km in 2023, added the officials.

The officials state that the Department of Forest and Wildlife makes sustained efforts in improving the quality of the forest by planting indigenous species such as shisham, shahtoot, khair and babul. No exotic species are being planted for the past couple of years.

The continuous engagement of the department with important stakeholders, including NGOs, Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs), eco clubs, environmental societies and the involvement of the media have played a crucial role not only in protecting the forests but also increasing the green cover.

Punjab Governor and UT Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria on July 5 led a massive tree plantation drive on the occasion of Van Mahotsav.

In a single day, 1,17,836 saplings were planted at 318 locations, surpassing the target of 1,05,874 saplings at 253 identified sites.

From the bustling city centres to the quiet residential sectors, parks, institutional campuses and road dividers, the City Beautiful witnessed the spirit of environmental awareness with officials, students, volunteers and citizens taking part in the drive. The Governor himself planted saplings at 23 locations.