Gujarat Builds Ecosystem for Comprehensive Environmental Protection and Conservation: Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel

Chief Minister Inaugurates 76th Van Mahotsav Across the State from Galteshwar, Birthplace of Sardar Saheb, in the Presence of Forest Ministers

Inauguration of Galteshwar Van, a 7-hectare Sankrutik Van, the 24th such forest in the state.

Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel:
•    If we nurture and respect nature, it will sustain and protect us.
•     Van Mahotsav, connecting people with forests, has transformed into Jan Mahotsav under the inspiration of the Prime Minister.
•    Do you want a slightly shorter, headline-style version as well?
•    A green, clean environment is essential to provide future generations with a healthy and prosperous life.
•    Under the “Ek Pad Ma Ke Naam 2.0” campaign, the state aims to plant 10.35 crore saplings this year.
•    Last year, Gujarat ranked second in the country with 17.50 crore saplings planted.
•    The green cover in areas outside forests has increased by 1,143 sq km across the state.

Gandhinagar, 30 August 2025*: Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel, while inaugurating the 76th statewide Van Mahotsav, stated that under the guidance of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Gujarat has created an ecosystem for comprehensive environmental protection and conservation.

In this context, he mentioned that Gujarat has achieved development while maintaining ecological balance through initiatives such as Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) to tackle climate change, renewable and solar rooftop energy for green growth, water conservation projects like Catch the Rain and Amrit Sarovar, as well as massive tree plantation drives under Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam.

As part of the 76th Van Mahotsav, the Chief Minister dedicated the newly developed Galteshwar Van spread over 7 hectares in Galteshwar, Kheda district, as the 24th cultural forest of the state. He also launched the website of the Gujarat State Wetland Authority, initiated village forest development, distributed checks to gram panchayats and taluka panchayats for income generated from strip plantations, and handed over checks to beneficiaries of various schemes of the Forest Department.

Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel remarked, “If we love nature, nature will take care of us.” He added that people of our culture see divinity everywhere — “Shiv in every being and Ranchhod in every plant.” He highlighted that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has consistently prioritised environmental balance and conservation, transforming the traditional Van Mahotsav into Jan Mahotsav.

The CM noted that initiatives like ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’, the Miyawaki plantation method with 207 urban forest belts, and 82 Namo Vat Vans have expanded Gujarat’s green cover by 1,143 sq. km beyond forest areas.

He further mentioned that under PM Modi’s inspiration, Gujarat ranked second in India last year by planting 17.50 crore saplings under Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam. This year, under Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0, the state has set a target of planting 10.35 crore saplings across Gujarat.

The Chief Minister stated that Gujarat has become the engine of growth for the nation’s development. Along with industrial and trade progress, it is equally important to provide future generations with a clean and healthy environment. For this, a green and clean ecosystem is essential, and Van Mahotsavs serve as an effective medium to achieve this goal.

On the occasion, Forest and Environment Minister Shri Mulubhai Bera stated that the purpose of Cultural Forests is to raise awareness about religious and medicinal trees, contribute positively to climate change, increase tree cover, and instill love for trees among people, students, and children. This year, plantation will be carried out across 39,295 hectares under social forestry, along with the creation of 20 urban forests. Under the Pancharatna Gram Vatika model, 50 saplings will be planted in each of 1,000 villages. By 2025–26, 34 Sacred Groves will be developed and 15.39 million saplings will be planted across 19,895 hectares.

Minister of State for Forest and Environment Shri Mukeshbhai Patel added that the state government is working with full commitment to social forestry. In Kheda district, Van Kavach at Govindpura and a plantation under the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign at Pipalag village have been developed. He highlighted that the state has made ‘Green Growth’ the fifth pillar of development. For 2025–26, plans include plantation along 100 hectares of roadside and coastal highways under the Harit Van Path scheme, 35,000 hectares of agroforestry on farms, plantation of 200 saplings each around 130 Amrit Sarovars, as well as the creation of 136 forest cottages and the organisation of 100 farmer training camps.

At the event’s inauguration, Principal Secretary of Forests and Environment Shri Sanjeev Kumar welcomed all attendees and outlined the program.

The ceremony was attended by prominent dignitaries including Kheda MP Shri Devusinh Chauhan, Panchmahal MP Shri Rajpalsinh Jadav, Thasra MLA Shri Yogendrasinh Parmar, Nadiad MLA Shri Pankaj Desai, Mahudha MLA Shri Sanjaysinh Mahida, Mahemdavad MLA Shri Arjunsinh Chauhan, Kapadvanj MLA Shri Rajeshbhai Zala, Matar MLA Shri Kalpesh Parmar, leader Smt. Nayana Patel, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Shri A.P. Singh, Additional Principal Chief Wildlife Conservator, Dr. Jaipal Singh, Collector Shri Amit Prakash Yadav, District Development Officer Shri Jayant Kishore, along with other officials and a large gathering of dignitaries.