SHIMLA-27 January, 2026
Chief Minister calls on Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change
· Urges for recognizing 29.5 percent forest and tree cover for all calculations relating to forest and ecology or other allocations
Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu called on Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupendra Yadav at New Delhi today.
Chief Minister apprised the Union Minister about the discrepancy registered in the actual tree cover of 29.5 percent against the officially recorded 27.99 percent. He said that this arises due to non inclusion of Trees outside Forest (ToF) in consolidated representation of State's forest and tree cover. He said that the state also exercises strict regulatory control over harvesting private lands under different status for which state doesn't receive any credit from the Centre Government.
He emphasized upon including this 1.5 percent component in the forest cover in order to recognize the State's true ecological and forestry contribution. He added that the Trees outside Forest contributes to conservation of green cover while preventing ecological degradation of fragile Himalayas.
He urged for recognizing 29.5 percent forest and tree cover for all calculations relating to forest and ecology under the Finance Commission or other allocations from the Centre Government. He demanded that 1.5 percent trees outside Forest component may be acknowledged as a legitimate and policy relevant contribution to ecosystem services, conservation effort and environmental governance.
He said that undervaluing the Trees outside Forest component undervalues the true contribution of Himachal Pradesh to the national eco system services and creates a bias against the state that protects trees.
Chief Minister also detailed about various initiatives of the state Government to expand the forest and tree cover on non forest and private land.
The Union Minister assured of all possible support to the State.
Chief Minister's Principal Advisor Ram Subhag Singh accompanied the Chief Minister.
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Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu calls on Nitin Gadkari
· Seeks adequate financial support for repair and maintenance of roads and bridges in the state
· Union Minister gives in principle approval of Rs. 200 crore for Chaila-Neripul-Yashwant Nagar-Ochghat road
Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu called on Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari at New Delhi today. He held detailed discussions about strengthening the road infrastructure in the state and demanded adequate financial support for repair and maintenance of roads and bridges in the state.
The Union Minister approved Rs. 200 crore in principle under CRIF for Chaila-Neripul-Yashwant Nagar-Ochghat road which would facilitate the apple growers immensely in the state.
The Chief Minister apprised him about the progress of Shimla-Mataur National Highway which is providing connectivity to 8 districts with the state capital besides adjoining states. He requested for introduction of maximum number of tunnels for Packages between Shimla to Shalaghat and Bhager to Hamirpur keeping in view the hilly terrain and geological sensitivity of the area. He also requested for expediting the process for preparation of DPR for four laning of Package four which covers end of Hamirpur bypass at Chilbahal to Bhangbar and the new northern Hamirpur bypass.
He also informed that the Chil Bahal to Pucca Broh section has suffered severe damage during monsoons at various locations and has not been strengthened since last five to six years. He said that the stretch was important as it serves as a key access route to major religious destinations. He urged to issue necessary directions for handing over Chil Bahal to Pucca Baroh section of NH 03 to NH wing of HPPWD for carrying out development and maintenance activities. He also requested for according early sanctioning of Rs. 38.37 crore by NHAI.
The Union Minister gave his nod for the amount and assured of full support to the State government.
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Chief Minister calls on Union Minister for Civil Aviation
- Seeks support for expansion of Kangra airport and special grant for the project
- Requests to increase frequency of Chandigarh-Shimla-Chandigarh flights
Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu called on Union Minister for Civil Aviation Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu at New Delhi today.
The Chief Minister sought support of the Union Minister for expansion of Kangra airport and urged for special central assistance (grant) for the project. He requested for speedy settlement of issues and added that Kangra district has immense tourism potential and state government was executing ambitious projects for attracting large number of tourists.
He also requested for introducing special visual flight rules for reducing minimum visibility criteria from existing 5 km to 2.5 km to ensure operation of flights during reduced visibility conditions.
The Chief Minister also discussed about handing over Kullu and Shimla airports to State Police instead of CISF keeping in view less number of flight operations and passengers which would also reduce the financial burden on the state. He also requested to extend the flight operation hours upto 4pm at Shimla airport for increasing the operation of flights.
He requested to increase the frequency of number of flights from Chandigarh to Shimla and Shimla to Chandigarh besides sanctioning four proposed heliports at the earliest.
The Union Minister directed the officers to hold a joint meeting with the concerned officers and prepare DPR for expansion of Kangra airport. He also assured full support to the state.
Chief Minister's Principal Advisor Ram Subhag Singh was also present in the meeting.