Chandigarh, April 4 -- Over the past 10 years, 40 hectares of forest land in Chandigarh has been diverted for non-forestry purposes. "Non-forestry purpose" refers to the clearing or repurposing of forest land for uses other than reforestation.

The matter was raised during the ongoing session of the Lok Sabha, where, in response to a question, Union minister for environment, forest and climate change Bhupender Yadav stated that 40 hectares (98 acres) of forest land in Chandigarh had been diverted for non-forestry purposes between April 1, 2014, and March 31, 2024.

Yadav said a significant portion of forest land, approximately 39.82 hectares, was allocated for the construction of buildings at the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Educati...