Explanation:

The forests of Punjab present a kaleidoscopic spectrum of diverse vegetation types varying from the pine forests to thorn forests of deserts as per variations of altitude and climate. The state has only 6.87% of area (3463 sq.km) under forests which include 3.37% (1699 sq. km) of tree cover & 3.50% (1764 sq. km) forest cover. The recorded Forest area of Punjab was 2845 sq.km in 1990 but it has increased to 3084 sq km during 2013-14 which is 6.12 % of area under forests which is 0.40% of India’s Forest area. Of this 1.43% of the area is reserved forest, 36.87% of the area is protected forest, and the rest of the forest area constitutes unclassed forests. Shivalik Forest: Comprising submountainous zone and undulating land below the hills in the districts of Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Pathankot, S.B.S. Nagar(Nawanshahr) and Ropar. This area constitutes about 77% of the total forest area in the state. Maximum Forest cover of Punjab comes under Hoshiarpur district with an area of 1148 sq.kms which is around 33% of states Forest area. The increase in forest cover is mainly due to enhanced plantation activities undertaken in recent past by the state forest department and spurt in Argo forestry practices in the state.