Land and Forest Resources of Punjab -

Table of Contents

Land Use Pattern in Punjab

Population growth, urbanization, and governmental policies are drivers of change in land use pattern in Punjab. Punjab is primarily an agricultural state, with agriculture covering more than 80% of its total geographical area. Punjab’s land use data for 2021-22 reflects its agricultural dominance. The remaining land is divided among forests, non-cultivable areas, grazing land, and fallow land, which collectively make up a small percentage of the total land area. The limited areas under permanent pastures, tree crops, and culturable wasteland further illustrate that Punjab’s economy is largely reliant on crop farming rather than other agricultural practices.

Land Use Types	Areas (in thousand hectares)	Percentage
Forests	255.6	4.86%
Not available for land cultivation	558.4	11.1%
Permanent pastures or grazing land	4.34	0.09%
Land under tree crops and groves	9.21	0.18%
Culturable Wasteland	8.27	0.16%
Fallow land	5.16	0.10%
Current fallows	90.24	1.8%
Net sown area	4112.57	81.72%
Total area	5,036

Source: Land Use Pattern of Punjab (Land Use Statistics, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, 2021-22)

Forest Resource in Punjab

The plains in the state of Punjab do not have any thick forests, the only available patches are of grass, small bushes and shrubs. About half of the forest area in Punjab is notified as a Reserved/Protected Forest, while the balance is being managed under the Punjab Land Preservation Act, of 1900. While, the state has limited forested areas, the existing forest cover is assessed every two years by the Forest Survey of India (FSI).

The forest wing of the Department of Forests and Wildlife Preservation is responsible for the protection of forest areas in the state of Punjab by implementing the Punjab Land Preservation Act, of 1900. Indian Forest Act, 1927, Forest Conservation Act, 1980 and other acts and rules framed thereunder from time to time by the Government of India and by the State Government.

Mattewara Forest

The Mattewara forest has a special appeal among the Sikh masses of Punjab as it features in Sikh history.

Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of Sikhism, had emphasized the importance of the Mattewara forest when he said only it could save Ludhiana from floods.
Guru Gobind Singh escaped into the forest of Mattewara in a wounded condition after the Battle of Chamkaur Sahib in 1704, with Mughal forces in hot pursuit. The forest is the location where the Guru composed Mittar Piare nu haal Mureedan da kehna (Tell the beloved friend the plight of his disciples).
The Mattewara forest protects the city of Ludhiana from floods in the Sutlej and also absorbs the gases emitted from industrial units in the city. It is also a source of oxygen and clean breathing air.

Forest Cover of Punjab (As per State of Forests Report 2023)

FSI, an esteemed national organization under the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change (MOEFCC), periodically monitors the country’s forest resources. According to FSI, a forest is defined as land with a tree canopy density exceeding 10 per cent when projected vertically onto the horizontal ground, covering a minimum area of one hectare.

There are two main ways to describe the extent of forested areas:

Recorded Forest Area (RFA): Refers to the legally recognized extent of forest land.
Forest Cover: Indicates the land area covered by a forest canopy, regardless of its legal status.

While both terms are related to forests, they have different meanings. Forest cover refers to the actual area of land covered by trees, while RFA defines the forest area based on its legal classification.

Class	Area	% of Total Area
Very Dense Forest	9.44	0.02%
Medium Dense Forest	784.89	1.56%
Other Forest	1051.76	2.09%
Total	1846.09	3.67%
Scrub	41.61	0.08

Important Data about State of Forest Report 2023 in Punjab

Forest Cover inside and outside Recorded Forest Area
- Forest Cover inside Recorded Forest area: 775.76 sq km
- Forest Cover outside Recorded Forest area: 1070.33 sq km
Number of Trees in Recorded areas: Prosopis juliflora (Vilayati babul) > Acacia catechu (khair tree) > Mallotus philippensis (kamala tree)
Number of Tress in Rural areas: Eucalyptus species > Melia azedarach (Bakayan, species of Neem) > Citrus species
Number of Trees in Urban areas: Eucalyptus species > Melia azedarach > Morus species
Major Non-timber Forest Produce (NTFP) species in Punjab: Ziziphus (Indian jujube – Indian Plum or Ber) > Acacia catechu (khair tree or Katha) > Emblica officinalis (amla fruit)
Major Invasive species in recorded forests in Punjab: Lantana Camara (highest area) > Prosopos juliflora > Saccharum spontaneum

District Wise Data

District with highest total forest area: Hoshiarpur (697.31 sq km) > Roopnagar (275.9 sq km) > Pathankot (192.46 sq km)
District with Very Dense forests area: Patiala (7.48 sq km) > Tarn Taran (0.99 sq km) > Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar (0.27 sq km).
District with least forest area: Fategarh Sahib (3.01 sq km) < Moga (8.87 sq km) < Barnala (8.88 sq km)
District with largest improvement in Forest Area: Fazilka displayed the highest increase in forest area as compared to State of Forest Report 2021.
District with highest deforestation in Forest Area: Shahid Bhagat Singh Nagar showed largest decrease in forest areas as compared to State of Forest Report 2021.

Government Schemes for Protection and Promotion of Forests

1. Greening Punjab Mission (GPM)

In June 2012, the Punjab State Cabinet decided to establish a dedicated fund called the “Greening Punjab Fund” to support the conservation and enhancement of the state’s forest and tree cover. The fund was to be contributed by various boards, corporations, authorities, and the State Department. The key objectives and functions of the Green Punjab Fund include:

Expansion of Green Cover: Planting the maximum possible number of trees on both forested and non-forested lands across the state.
Nursery Development: Establishing and maintaining nurseries to support the protection of plantations under the mission.
Public Awareness: Creating awareness among the public about the importance of forests and tree cover.
Forest Awareness Parks: Setting up and maintaining parks dedicated to forest awareness.
Forestry Research and Training: Supporting research and training initiatives in forestry.

Implementation Area: The mission is implemented across the entire state of Punjab, with a focus on non-forest areas.

2. Punjab Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority PUNCAMPA (State Authority)

The Punjab State Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority aims to accelerate forest and wildlife conservation, infrastructure development, and related activities. Its primary tasks include:

Protecting, regenerating, and managing existing forests.
Protecting wildlife and its habitat, both within and outside protected areas.
Conducting afforestation to offset land diverted for non-forest uses under the Forest Conservation Act of 1980.
Providing goods and services like timber, fuel, grazing, tourism, and wildlife protection; regulating climate, disease control, flood moderation, and carbon sequestration; offering non-material benefits such as spiritual, recreational, and educational services.

3. Punjab Community Forestry Project and Promotion to e-governance, research, training, and extension etc.

It is only a state-funded forestry scheme. Under this scheme forest development and protection works are carried out.

Under this scheme Plantation works, Raising and maintaining plants, Promotion of ICT and e-governance in the state, Capacity building Programmes (Forest Research & Training) and other activities are undertaken.