Chandigarh, April 4: Over the past decade, 40 hectares of forest land in Chandigarh have been diverted for non-forestry purposes, Union environment minister Bhupender Yadav told the Lok Sabha during the ongoing session.
Responding to a question, Yadav stated that between April 1, 2014, and March 31, 2024, most of the diverted land — around 39.82 hectares — was used for constructing new buildings at the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) under provisions of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980.
The minister said environmental clearances for these projects were issued as per the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006, under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
Despite these diversions, Chandigarh’s forest cover has grown by nearly 9% over the past seven years, rising from 41% in 2017 to 50.05% in 2023, according to the Forest Survey of India (FSI).
Local Plan, Indigenous Species Drive Growth
The expansion is largely credited to the Greening Chandigarh Action Plan (GCAP), which sets annual plantation targets for departments such as the forest wing, engineering department, and municipal corporation.
Efforts to prioritise native species — including shisham, shahtoot, khair, and babool — while phasing out exotic trees have further improved the forest ecosystem.
Additionally, the forest department’s collaborations with NGOs, eco-clubs, and resident groups — along with distribution of free saplings — have helped sustain and grow green spaces in the city.
The FSI’s biennial State of Forest Report, based on satellite data and ground verification, continues to serve as the country’s most comprehensive forest monitoring tool.
