Shimla, Oct. 7 -- Himachal Pradesh chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Monday said that the state's total forest cover has grown by 1,227.35 sq. km, rising from 14,353 sq. km in 2003 to 15,580.4 sq. km in 2023. This marks an increase from 25.73 to 28% of the state's total geographical area, as of date, he said.

Himachal Pradesh has reaffirmed its role as one of India's greenest and environmentally progressive states, registering a major increase in both forest and tree cover over the past two decades, said CM Sukhu.

Similarly, the tree cover of Himachal Pradesh has expanded by 364.07 sq. km, from 491 sq. km in 2003 to 855.07 sq. km in 2023, reflecting growth from 0.88% to 1.53% of the total geographical area.

He said that this con...