Mandi hosted the two day International Conference on Management of Natural Resources for Socio- Economic Development of Western Ghats. Govind Singh Thakur (Forest Minister) was the Chief Guest at the conference held in Vallabh Government College, Mandi . The Minister while addressing the media focused on the importance of management of natural resources for socio-economic development besides stating that the state aims at increasing the land under forest area upto 37 per cent.

ABOUT FORESTS in HP:

As per the National Forest Policy,1988 at least two-thirds of the geographical area should be under forest in hilly states. Himachal has a forest cover of 27 per cent currently. Keeping that in mind the HP government aims to bring 50 per cent of the geographical area of the state under the forest cover. The forests in the state are under great stress due to the impact of modern civilization, economic development and growth in human and cattle population.
The HPFD is totally committed to make Himachal Pradesh a GREEN STATE. To achieve these programmes like Sanjha Van Sanjivani Van, Apna VanApna Dhan, Peepal -Bargad were launched and various communities are being motivated to plant more.