After Jal Kranti, Gujarat would make Hariyali Kranti in August with intense tree plantations campaign: CM Mr. Vijaybhai Rupani

Bhuj: Gujarat Chief Minister Vijaybhai Rupani today dedicating the “Rakshak Van” (Protective Forest) to the people in the arid Kutch region, on the occasion the 69th “Van Mahotsav”, said that after making the Jal Kranti (Water Revolution) in the state, in the month of August Gujarat would pave path for “Hariyali Kranti (Green Revolution) through an intensive tree planting campaign on the banks of rivers, lakes, and water bodies.

In reference to this, the Chief Minister said that as the result of “Sujalam Sufalam Jal Abhiyaan” (SSJA) the state has developed a capacity to store 11,000 lakh cubic feet rain waters by deepening lakes, check-dams etc.. Now, Gujarat would be made greenish through intense tree planting campaign along the banks of rivers and lakes.
On the auspicious occasion of “Guru Purneema”, the Chief Minister dedicated the “Sanskrutik Van” (Cultural Forest), which is the biggest with spread over 9.4 hectare of land. It had been named as “Rakshak Van” in memory of restoration of an air-strip of Bhuj Airport in overnight’s time by the local women for protecting the mother land during the Indo-Pak war of 1971.

Rupani further asserted that Gujarat is leading with having 4.06 % of area as “forested Area” other than forest areas, which is 2.87 % in the country. The forest department has planted 34.35-crore trees by year-2017 in 18 cultural forests, other than forest areas. In last 13 years, the number of trees has shown growth of 37 %. The forested areas have shown growth of 9700-hectare of land in last two years.

The Chief Minister also honoured the women who had shown exemplary courage during the 1971-war. Under the Gram Van Yonja, cheques in total worth of Rs. 172-lakh were distributed to gram panchayats. The Chief Minister had also made plantation at the Rakshak Van and flagged off a health-van.

Those who spokes on the occasion included, Forest Minister Mr. Ganpatsinh Vasava, Additional Chief Secretary (Department of Forest & Environment) Rajiv Kumar Gupta, and others. The occasion was graced by minister of state for forest Ramanbhai Patkar, minister of state Vasanbhai Ahir, MP Vinodbhai Chavda, MLAs – Dr. Nimaben Acharya, Virendrasinh Jadeja, and others.

– Information