Chandigarh's landscape has witnessed a positive shift as its forested expanse has expanded by an impressive two acres over the course of the last four years. This surge in greenery encompasses both the city's urban trees and the Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary, exemplifying a promising trend towards increased ecological balance.
During a recent session of the Lok Sabha, Ashwini Kumar Choubey, the Minister of State for the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate, revealed the encouraging data pertaining to Chandigarh's forested area. He disclosed that within the city limits, the forest cover has grown by around two acres. This growth is reflected in the figures, where the forest area measured 22.03 square km in 2019, but by 2023, it had expanded to 22.8 square km.
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Choubey emphasized that the responsibility of safeguarding and managing forests primarily rests with state governments and Union Territory (UT) administrations. These entities implement measures aligned with regulations like the Indian Forest Act of 1927, the Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972, and the Forest (Conservation) Act of 1980, along with their respective rules. The Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate extends both financial and technical support to states and UTs through various centrally sponsored schemes. These encompass initiatives like the Green India Mission (GIM), Forest Fire Prevention and Management Scheme, CAMPA, Nagar Van Yojana, and other relevant ministry schemes. The overarching objective is to enhance the nation's forest and tree cover.
The commendable progress is a result of combined efforts between the Department of Forest and Wildlife and other green initiatives within the UT administration. These collaborative endeavors have made significant contributions to the expansion of Chandigarh's verdant footprint. A key player in this mission is the Greening Chandigarh Action Plan (GCAP), which is formulated annually by various relevant agencies. This plan sets forth annual targets for plantation activities across different departments.
To enhance forest quality, TC Nautiyal, Chief Conservator of Forests in Chandigarh, highlighted the cultivation of indigenous tree species such as shisham, shahtoot, khair, and babul. The cultivation of exotic species has been phased out in favor of these native varieties. The department also plays an active role in promoting community involvement by distributing saplings free of cost to residents, encouraging them to partake in the city's green rejuvenation.
Chandigarh's commendable achievement in expanding its green cover stands as a testament to its commitment to environmental preservation. With a harmonious balance between government initiatives, local participation, and a shift towards indigenous flora, the city is setting an inspiring example for sustainable growth.
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