The Forests of Himachal Pradesh known for their grandeur and majesty are like a green pearl in the Himalayan crown. The forests of Himachal Pradesh are rich in vascular flora, which forms the conspicuous vegetation cover. Out of total 45,000 species of plants found in the country as many as 3,295 species (7.32%) are reported in the State. More than 95% of species are endemic to Himachal and characteristic of Western Himalayan flora, while about 5% (150 species) are exotic introduced over the last 150 years.This life supporting systems are presently under great stress due to impact of modern civilization, economic development and growth in human and cattle population
According to national Forest Policy, 1988, atleast two third i. e 66% of the geographical area should be under forest in the hilly states like Himachal Pradesh. However, keeping in view that about 20 % of the area is inaccessible and beyond the tree limit, the State Government aims to bring 50% of the geographical area under forest cover
INTRODUCTION : policy context
Policy is an enunciation of the set principles to achieve the desired goals. The Government of Himachal Pradesh has developed the Forest Sector Policy and Strategy, 2005 in consonance with Government of India policy guidelines and by making important amendments to the previous Himachal Pradesh Forest Policy of 1980. This policy has been developed through a multi-stakeholder consultation process by the Policy Analysis and Planning Unit (PAPU) set up under Himachal Pradesh Forest Sector Reforms Project.The endeavour of the Forest Sector Policy is to achieve the vision of the Himachal Pradesh Government which aims to harmonise the relations between people and environment. The policy seeks to address the aspirations of the people by making forestry a vibrant sector contributing towards livelihood enhancement of forest dependent communities through the departments working on natural resource management.
The basic objectives of the Forest Sector Policy are as follows:
1. To conserve and improve the status of natural resources in the state, especially forests, wildlife and biodiversity through effective watershed management practices.
2. To conserve and manage forests scientifically, contemporarily and incorporating the best practices from within and outside the state, for the present and future generations, and to increase their values-historical, cultural, religious, economic and aesthetic- for communities and the environment on a sustainable basis.
3. To strive for livelihood security of forest dependent communities through protection of rights to forest goods and services.
4. To establish and support an integrated governance system that effectively involves all stakeholders in protecting, conserving, using, managing and restoring forests and other natural resources of the state.
5. To fulfill obligations under various national policies and laws, international instruments including covenants, agreements and protocols related to the forest sector.
6. To strive towards an appropriate land use in the state especially in the context of sustainable forest management, focusing on other primary land use sectors such as agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry and those related to infrastructure development.
7. To strengthen the capacity for research, training, extension, education and awareness of the Government and non government institutions related to the forest sector.
8. To apply the best scientific information, resources, management practices and strategies available to implement the forest sector policy and create a mechanism to periodically review the policy keeping in view the changing circumstances and needs.
The Forest Policy has been framed within the framework of the National Forest Policy, 1988 to achieve sustainable forest management.
Some of the salient features of the Forest Sector Policy, 2005 are as follows Government of Himachal Pradesh, 2005):
1. Policy gave functional classification of forests as follows: i) Conservation Forests: Conservation forests are the forests controlled by forest department with state having little biotic interference in it
ii) Production Forests: This category of forests shall be maintained for sustained production of timber and non timber forest products. These forests will be main source of revenue to the government.
iii) Community Forests: These forests will be managed by village communities in harmony with the participatory forest management rules with a basic objective to meet the livelihood needs of people.
iv) Urban Forests: These forests shall be managed for improving the urban landscape, aesthetic values and environment services.
2. State will aim at bringing 35.5 per cent of the total geographical area of the Sate under forest and tree cover and the balance legally classified forest land will be managed for other purposes such as alpine pastures .
3. Regeneration of felled trees will be ensured in a time bound manner. Whenever feasible plantations would follow the multi-tier and multiple use afforestation and rehabilitation strategy. Choice of species will be decided through a participatory approach.
4. The State Land Use Board (SLUB) will be strengthened for streamlining the land use planning process and existing arrangements of the state land use resources by empowering it through adequate financial resources, representative staffing from all land using departments and regulatory functions.
5. Tribal development Rights will be decentralized through the institution of Gram Panchayat/Gram Sabha prior to sanction by the forest department, to ensure equity and transparency.
6. Energy saving devices and substitution of fuel wood with alternative energy sources will be promoted especially in fuel wood scarce areas.
7. Conservation of representative ecosystems, habitats and species will be promoted for the conservation of biodiversity and wild life.
8. Synergies between concerned government agencies, PRIs (panchyati raj institutions), and NGOs will be developed for supporting watershed approaches for natural resource management.

The Forest Sector policy has been evolved through a dynamic and consultative process and it endeavours to achieve not only the vision of the State Government but most importantly, the aspirations of people of Himachal Pradesh. The foregoing analysis clearly indicates that the focus of the Forest Sector Policy in Himachal Pradesh has shifted from sustainable development to sustainable livelihood for the forest dependent communities.
CRITICISM
1. there is no provision or structure for policy research, despite some research capacity and experience amongst its staff.
2.allocation of funds and the scope of improvement in capacity building is limited.
3.there is little internal tracking of the impacts of forest policies, or of other sectors policies on forests. Further, neither are there regular review procedures for HP State forest policies.

4.there is a need for Forest Department staff to develop more broad-based skills than forestry

The policy for the first time laid stress on having at least 66 % of the land area under forest cover and the need for wild life conservation. However, its main focus remained on sustainable timber production, without much emphasis on management of non commercial species and non wood forest products. Hence, there is a need for the significant increase in the budgetary allocation to the forestry sector for the achievement of policy targets.