The Himachal Pradesh Forest Department has rolled out an ambitious green recovery plan to bring 1,820 hectares under tree cover in 2025. With a mix of state and community-driven schemes, this integrated plantation initiative aims not just at ecological revival, but also sustainable livelihoods for local communities. Of the total area identified, 1,000 hectares will be directly greened by the Forest Department, while 600 hectares will fall under the Rajiv Gandhi Van Samvardhan Yojana—an afforestation scheme focused on turning barren land into thriving ecosystems.
Complementing this effort, the Japan-funded JICA Forestry Project will contribute to an additional 220 hectares, continuing its legacy after last year’s successful plantation over 1,296 hectares. The project signals a broader shift in Himachal’s environmental strategy: merging ecological protection with economic resilience. While older apple plantations grown on forest land are being removed to restore legal green zones, the new tree plantations—many of which will be fruit-bearing—offer dual returns. On one hand, they combat deforestation and promote biodiversity. On the other, they promise income streams for rural families through fruit harvesting.
This year’s afforestation drive will be officially launched during the state-wide Van Mahotsav, a tree-planting festival that has become synonymous with community-led conservation efforts. The initiative emphasises grassroots participation, especially by Mahila Mandals, Self-Help Groups, and Youth Clubs, who will be entrusted not just with planting but also nurturing the saplings for five years—a crucial move to ensure survival and long-term impact. The Forest Department’s renewed push reflects a growing national and global recognition of nature-based solutions to climate and rural distress.
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As Himachal Pradesh balances the dual pressure of development and environmental sustainability, initiatives like these serve as a scalable model for other hill states grappling with shrinking green zones and the need for climate resilience. The plantation project stands at the intersection of ecological necessity and social empowerment—an approach that aligns with India’s broader goal of achieving carbon neutrality while uplifting its rural backbone.
Himachal Forest Department to Restore 1820 Hectares Green Cover