The forests of Himachal Pradesh (northern India ) currently cover an area of 37,691 km², or 38.3% of the state. Forests were recognized as the main source of state income, although the best of them were cut down. Although now they have switched from operation to conservation. The state government has set the goal of restoring forests in 50% of the state’s total area. There have been various projects, including the creation of protected areas such as National Parks, aimed at preserving and expanding forests.
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Forest conservation and nationalization
Steps are being taken to enhance conservation and sustainable development in Himachal Pradesh. All remaining forests in Himachal Pradesh were nationalized and transferred to organizations such as the Indian forest service , Himachal Forest Service and seasoned Range / Dy.Range Forest Officers. Logging and sales of timber are controlled by State Forest Corporation, and the Enforcement Organization created to counter timber smuggling and illegal logging. Hunting is also limited [1] .
The government created 33 Reserves , two national parks . It is proposed to create a few more [2] .
Reforestation programs
The World Bank, with the support of the Public Forestry Project, has launched a project to grow new forests to meet the local households' needs for wood, fuel and feed, which will help to maintain relict forests . Kandy's deforested areas will also undergo reforestation under another project funded by the World Bank.
Other programs
An integrative project of the water supply department for the Sivilika region has been created .
Facts and Figures
| Forest area (1996-1997) | Square |
|---|---|
| Reserve | 1896 km². |
| Protected | 43043 km². |
| unclassified | 976 km². |
| Other | 370 km². |
| Under the control of the forest department | 748 km². |
Nature Reserves and National Parks
Himachal Pradesh has two national parks and thirty-two wildlife reserves, which are listed below: [3]
| Nature Reserves and National Parks | Area (km²) | Registration Year |
|---|---|---|
| Great himalayan national park | 605.61 | 1984 |
| Pin valley national park | 807.36 | 1987 |
| Bandli wildlife sanctuary | 41.32 | 1974 |
| Chail wildlife sanctuary | 108.54 | 1976 |
| Churdhar wildlife sanctuary | 56.15 | 1985 |
| Daranghati wildlife sanctuary | 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 | 30.69 | 1949 |
| Kanwar Wildlife Sanctuary | 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 | 40.00 | 1974 |
| Manali wildlife sanctuary | 31.80 | 1954 |
| Naina Devi Wildlife Sanctuary | 123.00 | 1962 |
| Nargu wildlife sanctuary | 278.37 | 1974 |
| Renuka Wildlife Sanctuary | 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 | 03/19 | 1958 |
| Talra Wildlife Sanctuary | 26.00 | 1962 |