Mission-32: HP Forest Department Set to Spark Green Revolution with 50 Lakh Saplings This Monsoon

04/07/2026-VIDYA SAGAR

SHIMLA.

In a major bid to bolster Himachal Pradesh’s ecological footprint, the State Forest Department has rolled out a massive plantation drive for the upcoming monsoon season. Aiming for a comprehensive green expansion, the department has set an ambitious target to plant 50 lakh saplings across 7,000 to 8,000 hectares of land across the state.

To ensure the flawless execution of this mega drive, Head of Forest Force (HoFF) Dr. Sanjay Sood has issued strict, time-bound directives to all Divisional Forest Officers (DFOs).

Rajiv Gandhi Van Samvardhan Yojana Takes Center Stage

A key highlight of this year’s campaign is the integration of the Rajiv Gandhi Van Samvardhan Yojana, which alone will account for afforestation across nearly 4,000 hectares.

The department has meticulously selected plant species tailored to the specific geographical and climatic conditions of various districts. Moving away from traditional choices, the department is placing a groundbreaking emphasis on planting Chinar saplings for the first time on this scale.

Understanding ‘Mission-32’

The Himachal Pradesh government has pledged to scale up the state’s total forest cover to 32% by the year 2030, a strategic roadmap officially dubbed ‘Mission-32’. Ahead of the upcoming Van Mahotsav (Forest Festival), target matrices have been fixed for every district to maximize output and survival rates.

A Message from the Chief of Forest Force:

“The JICA Forestry Project is playing an invaluable role in steering us toward our Mission-32 goals. I earnestly appeal to the citizens of Himachal Pradesh to actively participate in this drive. Planting a sapling is just the first step—protecting and nurturing them into full-grown trees is where our real success lies.”

— Dr. Sanjay Sood, HoFF, Himachal Pradesh

Key Achievements & Strategic Collaborations

1. High-Profile Launch by the Chief Minister

The groundwork for this extensive drive was laid by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on World Environment Day (June 5), when he personally planted a Chinar sapling in Shimla. Following this, on June 25, the Acting Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court, Justice Gurmeet Singh Sandhawalia, advanced the campaign by leading a plantation drive at the Indian Institute of Advanced Study (IIAS), Shimla.

2. The JICA Forestry Project’s Stellar Track Record

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) forestry project continues to act as a backbone for the state’s green initiatives:

• 2018 to 2025 Impact: JICA has successfully restored 8,343 hectares of land across 22 forest divisions by planting diverse indigenous species.

• Mukhya Mantri Van Vistar Yojana: Under this state scheme, the project successfully greened 124 hectares of land last year alone.

Strict Accountability for Ground Officers

Dr. Sanjay Sood has made it clear that accountability will be strictly enforced. All field officers have been directed to ensure flawless execution of the government’s flagship programs—namely the Rajiv Gandhi Van Samvardhan Yojana, Mukhya Mantri Van Vistar Yojana, and the Rajiv Gandhi Green Adoption Yojana—with a primary focus on maximizing the post-plantation survival rate of the saplings.