New Delhi, Jan 27 (NationPress) The Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Sukhvinder Sukhu, met with Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupendra Yadav on Tuesday to discuss a significant discrepancy observed in the state's tree cover. The actual tree cover is reported at 29.5 percent, whereas the officially recorded figure stands at 27.99 percent.

The Chief Minister pointed out that this discrepancy arises from the exclusion of trees outside forest areas in the overall representation of the state's forest and tree cover. Furthermore, he noted that the state maintains a stringent regulatory framework regarding the harvesting of private lands, a situation for which the state currently does not receive any recognition from the Central government.

He passionately highlighted the necessity of including this 1.5 percent component in the forest cover calculations to accurately reflect the ecological and forestry contributions of the state. He explained that trees outside the forest play a crucial role in conserving green cover and preventing ecological degradation in the vulnerable Himalayan region.

The Chief Minister urged the Union Minister to officially recognize the 29.5 percent figure for all calculations related to forest and ecology under the Finance Commission and other allocations from the Central government. He advocated for the acknowledgment of the 1.5 percent contribution of trees outside forest areas as a legitimate and significant factor in ecosystem services, conservation efforts, and environmental governance.

He expressed concern that undervaluing the trees outside the forest diminishes the true contribution of Himachal Pradesh to the national ecosystem services, thus creating an inherent bias against the state, which is committed to tree protection.

The Union Minister assured all possible support to the state. In a related development, CM Sukhu also met with Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, to discuss enhancing road infrastructure and requested adequate financial backing for the maintenance and repair of roads and bridges within the state.

The Union Minister approved funding of Rs 200 crore in principle under the CRIF for the Chaila-Neripul-Yashwant Nagar-Ochghat road, which will benefit apple growers in the region. The Chief Minister also updated him on the progress of the Shimla-Mataur National Highway, which provides connectivity to eight districts in the state capital and neighboring states.

He requested the construction of the maximum number of tunnels between Shimla and Shalaghat as well as Bhager to Hamirpur, considering the hilly terrain and geological sensitivities of the area.