TNR News Network
Shimla
Strengthening the long-standing friendly relations between India and Bhutan, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today flagged off a vehicle carrying 5,000 Chilgoza (pine nut) saplings from the State Secretariat as a gift to the Kingdom of Bhutan.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that India and Bhutan share warm and cordial ties, and this green initiative will further deepen the bond of friendship between the two Himalayan nations. He highlighted that both Himachal Pradesh and Bhutan have similar natural heritage, making the exchange of Chilgoza saplings a meaningful step in environmental cooperation.
The Chief Minister announced that the Himachal Pradesh Forest Department would soon provide Chilgoza seeds worth ₹5 lakh to Bhutan. In addition, Bhutanese forest officials will receive training in Chilgoza cultivation, with a team from Bhutan expected to visit Himachal Pradesh shortly. Sukhu also emphasized that local women’s groups in Himachal would be involved in Chilgoza-based activities and supported financially, thereby linking conservation with livelihood generation.
He recalled that earlier, the state had already gifted 50 kilograms of Chilgoza seeds to Bhutan. Chilgoza, a rare and highly valuable species of the western Himalayas, is closely associated with biodiversity, environmental protection, and local economy.
Highlighting the state’s broader conservation efforts, Sukhu said that Himachal’s forest area has increased by 55 square kilometers due to government initiatives. This year, plantation work is being carried out on 9,000 hectares of forest land, with 60 percent of the plants being fruit-bearing. Under the Chief Minister Van Vistar Yojana, 600 hectares of barren hills are being greened, while 2,019 Van Mitras have been appointed since 2019 for forest protection.
Schemes such as the Rajiv Gandhi Van Samvardhan Yojana and the Green Adoption Scheme are also being implemented to expand green cover.
Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi, Deputy Chief Whip Kewal Singh Pathania, Vice-Chairman of the State Forest Corporation Kehar Singh Khachi, MLAs, senior officials, and dignitaries were present at the ceremony.
