The state government has already launched two plantation schemes - 'Sanjha Van, Sanjeevni Van' and 'Apna Van, Apna Dhan' - in the state under which over 10 million saplings of medicinal species would be planted around the year in all 12 districts of the state.

According to official records, 66 percent - 37,033 sq km of the total 55,643 sq km - of the Himalayan state is under forest cover.

The hill state is most vulnerable to climate change as the Himalayan glaciers have been retreating due to global warming.

The lush green valleys and snow-capped mountains of the state are home to 36 percent of the country's species of birds. Of the 1,228 species that have been reported in India, 447 have been recorded in this state alone.

Similarly, 77 species of mammals have been recorded by the Himachal State Council for Science, Technology and Environment in its biodiversity report.