Himachal Pradesh Tops Forest Diversion Since 2021 as Afforestation Lags

Himachal Pradesh has recorded the highest diversion of forest land for non-forest use in the past four-and-a-half years, according to data shared by the Union environment ministry in the Rajya Sabha. The figures highlight a widening gap between forest clearances and compensatory afforestation, particularly in ecologically sensitive regions.

Between April 1, 2021 and October 31, 2025, Himachal Pradesh diverted 2,484.84 hectares of forest land for 260 projects approved under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980. This places the Himalayan state ahead of Punjab and Haryana in terms of forest area cleared, despite approving far fewer projects.

Punjab diverted 1,704.64 hectares of forest land across 1,235 projects, while Haryana cleared 1,156.35 hectares for 1,289 proposals during the same period. The data indicates that forest clearances in Himachal Pradesh typically involve larger land parcels per project, reflecting the scale of infrastructure development in mountainous terrain.

National Forest Diversion Trends

At the national level, a total of 91,650.10 hectares of forest land has been diverted since the 2021 financial year under 10,160 approved proposals across 30 categories. These include infrastructure projects such as roads, canals, airports and other public utilities.

The environment ministry confirmed that forest clearances have also been granted in Scheduled Areas and Fifth Schedule districts, regions that are home to forest-dependent communities. Environmental experts have raised concerns that amendments to forest laws and faster clearance mechanisms could have long-term ecological consequences, especially in fragile ecosystems like the Himalayas.

Afforestation Targets Missed

Despite mandatory requirements for compensatory afforestation, none of the three states consistently met their plantation targets.

Punjab failed to meet its targets every year. In 2024–25, the state achieved plantation over 4,019.72 hectares against a target of 4,471.94 hectares. Haryana met its afforestation target only once, in 2020–21, and in 2024–25 planted 5,012.91 hectares against a target of 5,803.08 hectares.

Himachal Pradesh also fell short, achieving plantation over 4,073 hectares compared to a target of 4,913 hectares in the same year.

Experts note that plantation drives often fail to compensate for the loss of mature forests, particularly in hill states vulnerable to landslides, floods and climate-related disasters.

The data was shared in response to a question by Rajya Sabha MP Jebi Mather Hisham, who sought details on forest diversion, approvals in Scheduled Areas and the effectiveness of compensatory afforestation.

The figures once again underline the growing disconnect between forest clearance approvals and meaningful ecological restoration efforts across India.