Pandit Govind Ballabh Pant Memorial Lecture: II

1000m to over 4000m in western Himalaya. Furthermore, in temperate regions often
one species is dominant and which occupies vast stretches horizontally. Thus, we have
almost pure natural seeds of Pinus rozburghii or other species which may appear as
“monoculture”. However, in strict sense it is not so because there is tremendous genetic
diversity within each stand.
According to the Forest (Conservation) act of 1988, 60% of the land area in the
hills has to be under forest cover, while for country as a whole it should be 33%. The
dense forest cover (more than 40% crown density) for the country as a whole is only
11.71% (Anonymous, 1991). However, forest cover for the Himalayan belt is only for the
Himalayan belt is only 21.78%, but ranges from 4.9% (Jammu and Kashmir) to 65.13%(
Arunachal Pradesh). A breakup of the forest cover in the Himalayan given in the Forest
Survey Report (Anonymous, 1991), is summarized in Table 2. Except for Arunachal
Pradesh (65.13%) forest cover in no state is anywhere near 60%. There is a need for a
very concerted efforts to reforest as much area, as is possible, keeping in view the
constraints like excessive grazing on account of livestock population beyond the
carrying capacity; escalating human population beyond the carrying capacity; escalating
human population; escalating demand for firewood and small timber and poles far in
excess of the mean annual increment; shifting cultivation in north –eastern sector of
Himalaya; and private ownership of forest lands in north- eastern sector resulting in
unscientific management.
Importance of forest cover cannot be underestimated because our long-range
ecological security is intertwined with it. Furthermore, in the mountains there is a deep
inter-connection between forests and agriculture as epitomixed saying of a Kashmiri
Saint (Nund Rishi b 1378 A.D.): “ food will last as long as the forests last”. Therefore,
tangible steps have to be taken to ensure a minimum forest cover at least in the hills.
Table 2 Dense Forest Cover in Himalaya (Area in Sq. km.)
State Geographic Dense Forest Percentage
Area cover (>40%)
1. Jammu & Kashmir 222,235 10,986 4.9
2. Himachal Pradesh 55,673 8,911 16.0
3. Uttar Pradesh
(Hill District) 51,125 17,448 34.12
Almora 5,385 2,095 38.9
Chamoli 9,125 2,519 27.6
Dehradun 3,088 1,234 39.9
Garhwal 5,440 2,156 39.6
Nainital 6,794 2,946 43.36
Pithoragarh 8,856 2,178 24.59
Tehri Garhwal 4,421 1,734 39.22
Uttarkashi 8,016 2,586 32.,26
4. Sikkim 7,09 2,403 8.86
5. West Bengal (Hill District)
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