Himachal Pradesh government spent Rs 109 crore to bring 31623.30 hectares area under tree plantation

SHIMLA: In last three years Himachal Pradesh government has spent over Rs 109 crore in all 68 assembly constituencies of the state to bring 31623.30 hectares of forest area under tree plantation. In the year 2016-17 average survival rate of plant trees was 70% that increased to 73% in 2017-18 and 79% to 2018-19. In the year so far average survival rate is 100%. Forest Survey of India in its latest report released has stated that between 2015 to 2017, forest cover of state has increased by 2.67% (393 square kms).
In response to a question asked by Paonta Sahib MLA of BJP Sukh Ram, forest minister Govind Singh Thakur in a written reply informed the state assembly on Friday that since 2016-17 upto July 31 this year, forest department has conducted plantation in 31623 hectares of land on which over Rs 109 crore expenditure was incurred.
He informed that in 2016-17, plantation was done on 9276.60 hectares land on which over Rs 34.55 crore expenditure was incurred and average survival rate of plants was recorded at 70%. He said that in 2017-18, plantation was carried on 8768.33 hectares of land on which Rs 31.10 crore expenditure was incurred and survival rate of plants was recorded at 73%.
He said that in 2018-19, plantation was 9419.55 hectares land on which over Rs 33.60 crore expenditure was incurred and survival rate was recorded at 79%. He said that upto July 31 this year, plantation was carried on 4158.82 hectares land on which Rs 9.91 crore expenditure was incurred and survival rate of 100% was recorded.
While responding to another question asked by Drang MLA of BJP Jawahar Thakur and Naina Devi MLA of Congress Ram Lal Thakur, forest minister in the written reply informed that Forest Survey of India assesses the forest cover after every two years through remote sensing. He said that latest report of Forest Survey of India released in 2017 reveals that forest cover of state has increased by 2.67%
He said that state has 37 regional and six wildlife divisions under which 198 forest ranges fall. He said that 39 forest ranges in the state are sensitive while no government vehicle is available to deal with cases of forest fires, illegal felling or mining.