Chandigarh green cover up 5.66 sq km in two years, Lok Sabha told

The green cover in the city has increased by 5.66 sq km in two years — up from 40.52 sq km in 2021 to 46.18 sq km in 2023.

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In response to a question raised in the Lok Sabha, Kirti Vardhan Singh, Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, stated that the Indian State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2023 released by the Forest Survey of India (FSI) on December 21, 2024, indicated there was a net increase of 5.66 sq km in the forest and tree cover of Chandigarh as compared to the ISFR-2021. The total forest and tree cover in Chandigarh was 40.52 sq km in 2021, which increased to 46.18 sq km in 2023.

The Forest Survey of India holds a survey of the forest and tree cover in the country biannually. As per the ISFR, the tree cover in Chandigarh in 2001 was 2 sq km and it increased to 21.18 sq km in 2023. Similarly, the forest cover went up from 13 sq km in 2001 to 25 sq km in 2023.

According to officials, the forest cover and tree cover have gradually increased in the past years due to pro-active action taken by the UT Administration and other agencies in enhancing and protecting the forests and greenery in the city.

The Greening Chandigarh Action Plan (GCAP) is prepared every year by all agencies concerned such as the Forest Department, the horticulture wing of the Engineering Department, and the Municipal Corporation. An annual plantation target is set for all three departments.

In reply to another question on progress made in improving air quality and reducing particulate matter (PM10) levels under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), the minister stated that the NCAP was launched by Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in January 2019 with the aim of improving air quality in 130 cities (non-attainment cities and Million Plus Cities) through implementation of clean air action plans. The city-specific Clean Air Action Plans have been prepared by all cities to implement air quality improvement measures. According the data of the last three years tabled in the Lok Sabha, the annual average PM10 levels (µg/m3) in Chandigarh was 97 in 2021-22, and it increased to 116 in 2022-23 and thereafter, it remained steady at 116 in 2023-24.

However, pollution level in Chandigarh has increased in the past five years. According to the minister, the PM10 concentrations in Chandigarh increased from 114 µg/m3 in 2027-18 to 116 µg/m3 in 2023-24.