Forests in Himachal Pradesh

Himachal Pradesh

Himachal Pradesh is a state in Northern India. It is spread over , and is bordered by the Indian states of Jammu and Kashmir on the north, Punjab on the west and south-west, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh on the south, Uttarakhand on the south-east and by the Tibet Autonomous Region on the east...

 currently cover an area of nearly 21325 sqkm, which is about 38.3% of the total land area of the state. The forests were once considered to be the main source of income of the state and most of the original forests were clear felled. The emphasis has shifted, however, from exploitation to conservation. The state government aims to increase forest cover to 50% of the total land area. There have been various projects, including the establishment of protected areas such as National Parks, designed to preserve and expand the forests.

Preservation and nationalisation of forests

Steps are being taken to intensify environmental preservation and sustainable development

Sustainable development

Sustainable development is a pattern of resource use, that aims to meet human needs while preserving the environment so that these needs can be met not only in the present, but also for generations to come...

 in the Himachal Pradesh region. All remaining forests in Himachal Pradesh have been nationalised under the supervision of the officers like Indian forest service

Indian Forest Service

The Indian Forest Service is the Forestry service of India. It is one of the three All India Services of the Indian government, along with the Indian Administrative Service and Indian Police Service; its employees are recruited by the national government but serve under the state governments or...

,Himachal Forest Service and seasoned Range/Dy.Range Forest Officers. Felling of trees and sale of timber is now controlled by the State Forest Corporation, and an Enforcement Organisation has been established to prevent the illegal felling of trees and smuggling

Smuggling

Smuggling is the clandestine transportation of goods or persons, such as out of a building, into a prison, or across an international border, in violation of applicable laws or other regulations.There are various motivations to smuggle...

 of timber

Timber

Timber may refer to:* Timber, a term common in the United Kingdom and Australia for wood materials * Timber, Oregon, an unincorporated community in the U.S...

. Hunting

Hunting

Hunting is the practice of pursuing any living thing, usually wildlife, for food, recreation, or trade. In present-day use, the term refers to lawful hunting, as distinguished from poaching, which is the killing, trapping or capture of the hunted species contrary to applicable law...

 has also been restricted.

The government has created 33 Sanctuaries, two National Parks and some national parks sites are proposed.

Reafforestation programs

A World Bank

World Bank

The World Bank is an international financial institution that provides loans to developing countries for capital programmes.The World Bank's official goal is the reduction of poverty...

 assisted Social Forestry Project has been launched. The aim of the project is to plant more trees for fuel

Fuel

Fuel is any material that stores energy that can later be extracted to perform mechanical work in a controlled manner. Most fuels used by humans undergo combustion, a redox reaction in which a combustible substance releases energy after it ignites and reacts with the oxygen in the air...

, fodder

Fodder

Fodder or animal feed is any agricultural foodstuff used specifically to feed domesticated livestock such as cattle, goats, sheep, horses, chickens and pigs. Most animal feed is from plants but some is of animal origin...

, and timber

Timber

Timber may refer to:* Timber, a term common in the United Kingdom and Australia for wood materials * Timber, Oregon, an unincorporated community in the U.S...

 to meet the basic requirements of the local people, thus avoiding depletion of the old growth forest

Old growth forest

An old-growth forest is a forest that has attained great age , and thereby exhibits unique ecological features. An old growth forest has also usually reached a climax community...

s. The deforested Kandi areas are also being reafforested

Afforestation

Afforestation is the establishment of a forest or stand of trees in an area where there was no forest. Reforestation is the reestablishment of forest cover, either naturally or artificially...

 in another project financially assisted by the World Bank.

Other programs

An integrated water shed department project for Shivalik

Shivalik

Shivalik may refer to:* Shivalik class frigate* Siwalik Hills, a series of ranges of outer foothills of Himalaya crossing Pakistan, India, Nepal and Bhutan....

s is also under construction.

Fact and figures

Forest Cover (1996-1997)	Area
Reserved Forests	1896 km².
Protected Forests	43043 km².
Unclassed Forest	976 km².
Other Forests	370 km².
Forests not under control of Forest Department	748 km².

Sanctuaries and National Parks

Himachal Pradesh has two national parks and thirty-two wildlife sanctuaries, which are listed below:

Sanctuaries and National Parks	Area Area Area is a quantity that expresses the extent of a two-dimensional surface or shape in the plane. Area can be understood as the amount of material with a given thickness that would be necessary to fashion a model of the shape, or the amount of paint necessary to cover the surface with a single coat...  (km²)	Year of Notification
Great Himalayan National Park Great Himalayan National Park Great Himalayan National Park is the newest addition to India's national parks, located in Kullu region in the state of Himachal Pradesh. The park was...	605.61	1984
Pin Valley National Park Pin Valley National Park Pin Valley National Park is a national park located in Spiti region of the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. The park is located in the cold desert area of the Spiti valley, in the Lahul and Spiti district within the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh...	807.36	1987
Bandli Wildlife Sanctuary	41.32	1974
Chail Wildlife Sanctuary Chail Sanctuary Chail Sanctuary is located at Chail, a hill station which is abode of wildlife. One can see Sambar, Goral and Cheer Pheasants at Blossom and Jhaja. Barking deer and Kalijin are seen during dusk and dawn. The best time to visit is from March to October....	108.54	1976
Churdhar Wildlife Sanctuary Churdhar Sanctuary Churdhar Sanctuary is named after the Churdhar peak, which has an elevation of 3647 metres above sea level and is located in Sirmour, Shimla district of the indian state of Himachal Pradesh. Churdhar peak is the highest peak in Sirmour district and is also the highest peak in the outer Himalayas...	56.15	1985
Daranghati Wildlife Sanctuary Daranghati Sanctuary The sanctuary is located in Shimla District. It has undisturbed forest areas. Monal, Tragopan, Koklas and Kalij are the pheasants found here. Some of the common animals found here are Musk deer, Goral and Thar. Forest staff posted at Dofda and Sarahan is there for advice and guidance.-External...	167.00	1974
Darlaghat Wildlife Sanctuary	140.00	1974
Dhauladhar Wildlife Sanctuary	943.98	1994
Gamgul Siahbehi Wildlife Sanctuary	108.85	1974
Govind Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary	100.34	1962
Kais Wildlife Sanctuary	14.19	1954
Kalatop Khajjiar Wildlife Sanctuary Kalatop Khajjiar Sanctuary The sanctuary area is well laid out for trekking trails both at Kalatop and Khajjiar. There is a dense Deodar and Fir forest cover. Pheasants, Serow and Black bear are some of the common animals found here....	30.69	1949
Kanwar Wildlife Sanctuary Kanwar Sanctuary The Kanwar Sanctuary is located in Parbati valley of Kullu district. R.O. wildlife Kasol provides information and help to visitors. Uphill walk along Garahan Nala from Kasol through dense Deodar and Fir forests is worth...	61.57	1954
Khokhan Wildlife Sanctuary	14.05	1954
Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary	1400.50	1992
Kugti Wildlife Sanctuary	378.86	1962
Lippa Asrang Wildlife Sanctuary	30.89	1962
Maharana Pratap Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary	3207.29	1983
Majthal Wildlife Sanctuary Majthal Sanctuary The Majthal Sanctuary is situated in Solan district and has steep and rugged terrain. The sanctuary is about 10 km. on a kacha road Kararaghat to Kashlog. There is a high concentration of Goral. The sanctuary is said to have the maximum population of endangered Cheer pheasant...	40.00	1974
Manali Wildlife Sanctuary Manali Sanctuary The Manali Sanctuary is a wildlife sanctuary in Himachal Pradesh in northern India.The sanctuary starts about 2 km from Manali. It is the catchment of Manalsu khad. A path from Manali log huts and Dhungri temple passes through dense Deodar, Kail, Horse chestnut, Walnut and Maple forests...	31.80	1954
Naina Devi Wildlife Sanctuary	123.00	1962
Nargu Wildlife Sanctuary Nargu Wildlife Sanctuary Nargu Wildlife Sanctuary lies across the Uhl River in Mandi District of Himachal Pradesh.-Geography:The sanctuary is located at .-Access:*Airport:- Bhuntar *Railway:- The closest Railhead is at Jogindernagar...	278.37	1974
Renuka Wildlife Sanctuary Renuka Sanctuary The Renuka Sanctuary is situated in Sirmour district in Himachal Pradesh. The sanctuary is well connected by the network of motorable roads. The total area of the sanctuary is about 4.028 square kilometres. The entire sanctuary is Renuka Reserve Forest and has been declared as Abhayaranya...	4.02	1964
Rupi Bhaba Wildlife Sanctuary	269.00	1982
Sainj Wildlife Sanctuary	90.00	1994
Sangla (Raksham Chitkul) Wildlife Sanctuary	650.00	1989
Sechu Tuan Nala Wildlife Sanctuary	102.95	1974
Shikari Devi Wildlife Sanctuary	72.00	1974
Shilli Wildlife Sanctuary	2.13	1974
Shimla Water Catchment Wildlife Sanctuary	10.25	1958
Simbalbara Wildlife Sanctuary Simbalbara Sanctuary The Simbalbara Sanctuary is located in of Sirmour District . This area bears dense Sal forests with grassy glades. In the area there is a perennial stream. Simbalbara Forest Rest House is well-connected from Puruwala and provides a beautiful view of the valley...	19.03	1958
Talra Wildlife Sanctuary	26.00	1962

External links

• himachaltourism.nic.in
• hptdc.gov.in