Our forest wealth

 The Shivalik hills are characterized by tropical dry deciduous forest. Valuable timber species have been virtually extirpated. As per the FSI Report 2003, Panchkula has a forest cover of 40.53%, Ambala 2.22% and Yamunanagar 11.31%. While Panchkula recorded substantial increase (42%) in forest cover in 2003 from 2001, the other two districts have shown a decline of 13% and 24%.

The total area under forests in the State of Haryana is 155,800 hectares which constitutes 3.3% of the total geographical area. Since 1991 the area under forest has come down by approximately 0.32% from 170,200 ha to 155,800 ha. As per the National Forest Policy, any region requires 33% of the area under forest for sound ecological balance.

Table 2.10: State and private forest cover in sq km

  State Forest Private Forest
District Reserved Protected Unclassed Closed under Forest Act Closed Under Land Preservation Act Total
Haryana state 249 1158 17 10 124 1558
Ambala 2 35 < 1 < 1 9 46
Panchkula 86 253 < 1 - 43 382
Yamunanagar 69 131 4 - 14 218
(Source: Statistical Abstract, Haryana, 2003-04)