Chandigarh, October 29: Punjab has recorded an increase of 177.22 square kilometres in tree cover, the highest in over a decade, according to the India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2023 with Officials attributing the improvement to the state’s recent plantation drives and conservation measures under new environmental policies.
The increase comes after a prolonged decline in green cover, which had dropped from 4.80% to 3.67% between 2001 and 2023, as per central government data. Tree cover had also fallen from 3.20% to 2.92% during that period. The recent rise, officials said, reflects the first signs of recovery in the state’s ecological balance.
In 2023–24, the government planted 1.2 crore saplings and set a target of 3 crore for 2024–25. A key component of this effort is the Tree Preservation Policy (2024), which restricts felling without permission and mandates compensatory afforestation for all development projects.
According to the Forest Department, plantation was carried out on 940.384 hectares last year under compensatory provisions. The department said the policy’s goal is to integrate “sustainability with development” and ensure every project contributes to the state’s green balance.
Environmental experts have welcomed the uptick but cautioned that long-term monitoring and maintenance are crucial. “The gains are encouraging, but consistency will determine whether Punjab can meet its 2030 target of 7.5% forest cover,” an official said.
