Gandhinagar, July 13 (SocialNews.XYZ) Gujarat has set an ambitious target of planting more than 5.51 crore saplings across 74,453 hectares during this year's 'Van Mahotsav' campaign, while the state Forest Department also plans to distribute around 11.80 crore saplings through its network of 423 government nurseries to expand green cover and encourage public participation in afforestation.
The plantation drive will be carried out under the state government's 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 3.0' initiative and the annual Van Mahotsav campaign.
Government nurseries across all districts have prepared saplings of various species, which will be made available to citizens, local bodies and organisations at affordable prices.
Forest and Environment Minister Arjun Modhwadia said the nursery network has been developed to meet demand from different stakeholders across the state.
"Whether saplings are required for plantation along roads in hilly areas, in revenue areas, under forest cover models, by individuals who wish to plant trees, by municipalities, municipal corporations or voluntary organisations, a large number of controlled and well-prepared saplings are available to meet the needs of all these stakeholders," he said.
As part of its broader afforestation strategy, the Forest Department has also increased the scope of its Van Kavach programme, which focuses on developing micro forests.
During the current year, the department plans to establish Van Kavach sites at around 300 locations covering approximately 440 hectares.
The state has also fixed targets under the 'Green Wall of Aravalli' project, with plantation planned across 6,652 hectares and mangrove plantation over 20,100 hectares.
According to the government, these initiatives are aimed at mitigating the effects of climate change, enhancing carbon sequestration and strengthening natural ecosystems.
Residents and beneficiaries welcomed the programme, citing its environmental benefits and the availability of affordable planting material.
Nitin Patel, a resident of Banaskantha, said rising global temperatures made such initiatives increasingly important.
"Today, the problem of global warming is increasing day by day across the world. It is highly commendable that the Gujarat government has been organising Van Mahotsav for the past few years to protect the environment and plant trees. Gradually, people have become more aware about it," he said.
Mayur, a young farmer from Deesa, said the government nurseries offer a wide variety of saplings at reasonable prices.
"These government nurseries provide almond trees, neem trees, lemon trees, sesame plants and wide other varieties of saplings, and they are available at reasonable prices. I appeal to everyone to take advantage of this, and I also thank the government because this is its objective," he said.
Van Mahotsav is observed annually to promote tree plantation and environmental conservation through public participation.
The state government expects the expanded plantation targets and wider sapling distribution network to support long-term efforts to increase Gujarat's green cover.
Source: IANS
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