A question raised in the Rajya Sabha by MP and environmentalist Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal has sparked concern in Punjab, revealing that the state’s forest cover—vital for sustaining life—is at its lowest level.The question posed by Sant Seechewal has forced people to reflect on the fact that only 6.59 per cent of Punjab’s total area is currently under forest cover. Punjab has lagged behind even Bihar in maintaining forest area, with neighbouring Haryana also reporting higher coverage.Responding to the question, Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Kirti Vardhan Singh stated that India’s total forest area stands at 827,357.95 square kilometres, which is 25.17 per cent of the country’s total geographical area of 3,287,468.88 square kilometres. In contrast, Punjab’s forest cover has declined to 6.59 per cent, the lowest among all states.He further informed that forest cover in Haryana is 7.48 per cent, Rajasthan has 8.00 per cent, Uttar Pradesh has 9.96 per cent and Bihar has 10.52 per cent. He also noted that forest and tree cover across the country is assessed every two years by the Forest Survey of India, with findings published in the “India State of Forest Report.”Sant Seechewal emphasised that these are not just statistics, but a warning for the future. He said the government’s own data highlights the extent to which nature is being neglected. For an agriculture-based state like Punjab, such a situation is extremely alarming. He warned that if immediate action is not taken, future generations will have to pay a heavy price.While interacting with journalists, Sant Seechewal announced that saplings for plantation in Punjab can be obtained free of cost from Seechewal nurseries. He appealed to people to plant as many trees as possible in their surroundings to help make Punjab green again.