Gujarat is set to establish 8-10 high-tech nurseries in various districts and enhance mangrove and grassland areas to boost its green cover. The state officials revealed these plans after a two-day Forest Department meeting in Gandhinagar. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel emphasized the importance of continuous reflection for effective governance during the event. He also highlighted the role of technology in enhancing public service delivery.
Patel stressed the significance of increasing greenery to combat global warming and safeguard future generations. He mentioned initiatives like ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam,’ which have notably increased the number of trees outside forest areas in the state by 47% over the past 12 years. The Chief Minister urged officials to utilize technology for plantation on barren lands and noted the positive impact of public awareness campaigns on tree planting, water conservation, and environmental protection.
State Forest and Environment Minister Arjun Modhwadia outlined the state’s focus on nursery culture to improve plantation survival rates. He announced the forthcoming establishment of advanced nurseries across different districts, specializing in agriculture, horticulture, and forestry saplings. Modhwadia also highlighted the Forest Department’s commitment to preserving forest land and expanding mangrove forests along the coastline despite industrial growth.
Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Das emphasized the need to strike a balance between development and environmental preservation, viewing them as complementary rather than conflicting goals. He identified the challenge of leveraging technology to maintain this equilibrium. Das disclosed that Gujarat aims to raise its current forest cover from 11% to 13% through modern management practices. Additional Chief Secretary of the Forest Department, Vinod Rao, disclosed the finalization of 10 recommendations, including plans to enhance mangroves and grasslands and establish cultural forests in various districts over the next two years.
Rao also mentioned the expansion of the ‘Van Kavach’ model to thousands of gram panchayats by 2035 and the implementation of an eco-tourism policy through a public-private partnership to boost livelihoods. He expressed commitment to working on these recommendations under the Chief Minister’s guidance to achieve tangible outcomes in the future.
