Gandhinagar, Aug 26 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Gandhinagar district-level celebration of the 77th Van Mahotsav saw the plantation of 551 native trees at the Asudev Mahadev Temple complex in Jamla village of Mansa taluka, with Health Minister Praful Pansheriya calling for greater public participation in environmental conservation and the protection of natural resources.
Pansheriya, who presided over the programme, offered prayers at the Asudev Mahadev temple before flagging off the ‘Vriksh Rath’ as part of an environmental awareness initiative.
He also planted native species including Bilva, mango, neem and Ashoka. More than 300 Bilva saplings were among the various indigenous trees planted at the temple complex.
Speaking at the event, Pansheriya said the tradition of respecting and worshipping nature was deeply rooted in Indian culture.
Referring to thinkers such as Kanhaiyalal Munshi and ancient sages, he said: "They had left a tradition of nature worship for society."
He also referred to Lord Krishna’s association with the Peepal tree, saying it conveyed the understanding that vegetation too was living.
The minister said preventing pollution of air, water and land is a moral responsibility shared by everyone. He noted that air, water and the earth had been accorded the status of deities and mother in Indian scriptures.
He urged citizens to participate in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign and take responsibility for both planting and caring for trees.
Pansheriya also warned against activities that threaten public health and the environment. Referring to the Health Department’s campaign against adulteration, he said strict action would be taken against those selling products such as fake ghee, mawa and chemically treated sauces.
“These anti-social elements will not be spared,” he said, while urging citizens to avoid consuming impure food and beverages and adopt healthier dietary habits.
The minister also praised farmers moving away from chemical fertilisers towards natural farming, as well as organisations such as Sadbhavana and Green Army for their tree-planting activities.
He called for coordinated efforts by the government and society to make Gujarat "greener and healthier", while also urging people to embrace de-addiction and the message of nationalism.
Mansa MLA J. S. Patel said trees should be planted to mark important occasions such as births, marriages and death anniversaries.
"If trees had to be cut for development, 10 times as many trees should be planted and nurtured to compensate for the loss," he said, describing this as the proper way to protect nature.
The plantation drive comes amid wider efforts to expand green cover in Gujarat.
The state forest department has set a target of planting more than 5.51 crore trees across 74,453 hectares during the current plantation campaign, while more than 11.80 crore saplings are planned for distribution through government nurseries.
The Gandhinagar region has also witnessed large-scale plantation activity this year. In July, more than 3.61 lakh saplings were planted in one hour using the Miyawaki method in the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency, creating a Guinness World Record, while more than 1.26 crore saplings had been planted across the constituency under a public plantation campaign.
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Source: IANS
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