Union Home Minister Amit Shah recently chaired a meeting in Ahmedabad to assess various development, environmental, and infrastructure projects associated with the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency. The focus was on a significant afforestation campaign aiming to plant over one crore saplings by 2026-27. Shah highlighted the success of the ‘Green Lok Sabha – Gandhinagar Lok Sabha’ campaign, noting a noticeable drop in temperature due to the planting of 1.5 crore trees in the region over the past three years.
Officials disclosed plans to plant approximately 1.03 crore saplings during the upcoming year, representing a substantial increase from the previous year’s 62.85 lakh saplings. The initiative seeks to enhance green cover, ensuring a cleaner environment with fresh air and water for future generations. Shah emphasized the importance of public participation in expanding greenery, suggesting the planting of more than 50 trees in housing societies and increasing green cover across Ahmedabad.
The plantation strategy includes various techniques such as Miyawaki model plantations, dense plantations, and boundary plantations, aiming to green road medians, government plots, and urban dump sites. Additionally, the Forest Department plans to plant 6,000 saplings at entry points in Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad districts under the “Van Kavach” initiative. Inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0’ initiative, free saplings will be distributed to citizens to encourage participation.
Authorities outlined the distribution of saplings to families residing in different types of housing units, with a target of planting millions of trees across Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar. The campaign involves multiple government departments, civic bodies, and organizations, with a focus on increasing green cover and promoting environmental sustainability. The review meetings also covered developmental projects related to urban development, healthcare services, pond rejuvenation, and infrastructure enhancement in the region.
