Jamnagar, 2 August 2013

Inaugurating the 64th state level Van Mahotsav, Chief minister Narendra Modi dedicated Nageshwar Van at the ancient shine of Lord Nageshwar, 17 km away, from Dwarka on Friday, said, “Apart from the designated forest areas, Gujarat has led the social forestry development initiatives from the front. It has added over 5 crore trees in last ten years under the social forestry activities.”

Gujarat has not only placed itself in front line for the industrial development but protection of the environment as well. In addition it has increased over two fold area under mangroves cultivation in order to reduce the coastal erosion.

Inspired by chief minister Modi, during the state forest department has initiated a tradition of dedicating one ‘cultural forest’ every year during the celebration of Van Mahotsav at different location for last ten years.

Chief Minister Modi personally took a round of Nageshwar Van spread over 5 hectares of area and offered prayers at Nageshwar temple. During the function, chief minister also distributed cheques worth Rs 4.22 crore – the revenue generated from the sale of forest products, to the Gram Panchayats and Taluka Panchayats. Also he conferred upon 4 Van Pandit awards to Mahobbatsinh Singhal of Kutch’s Vandhai village, Rajubhai Parmar of Sayala and Prakash Barot of Mehsana.

Mr. Modi said that doing away from previous government’s mentality this government has decided to take the real cause of social forestry to each district and village of the state and spread the message of late Kanaiyalal Maneklal Munshi. Mr. Modi said they have adopted multi pronged approach to encourage social forestry combining with the development of pilgrimage cites and tourism, which in long term will benefit the local people of this regions.

Mr. Modi also gave details on how women self-help-groups (Mahila Sakhimandals) on coastal belt of the state has benefited from the sea weed farming and dual benefits of protecting the environment and income for the fishermen families residing within these areas.

Calling on the citizens to nurture more trees and create an environment for pro-eco friendly activities, chief Minister said Gujarat has successfully nurtured and protected lions, wild ass and other species using people’s cooperation, and now it is to be seen that tree becomes part of family, pride of village and part of city’s popularity. He also said that each school must encourage students to write about tree’s biography and inculcate the feeling of environment protection into them.

Mr. Modi also called on the people to plant five trees for each gild child birth as an occasion of happiness for all and use its produce of for the benefit of girl in future.

Minister of Forest, Ganpat Vasava said, “Trees are basic necessity for our ecology and it is important that people take part at large in making chief minister’s idea of Vaave Gujarat a big success in the state.”

Minister of Agriculture and party in-charge of Jamnagar district, Babubhai Bokhiriya said it is our tradition to nurture trees and each person must take an oath to plant one tree in their life.

Also present on the occasion Minister of Women and Children’s Welfare, Vasubahen Trivedi said, “It becomes special duty for all those women who pray before banyan and peepal trees for different festive occasions. Is it not possible to plant and nurture one tree on the occasion of one’s birthday and wedding anniversaries?”

Minister of state for forest, Govind Patel said, “Considering the increase in water and air pollution, it is important to see more trees come up across the state.” Additional chief secretary forest and environment department, H K Dash gave welcome speech while other leaders present on the occasion include MLAs Pabubha Manek, Kiritsinh Rana, Chimanbhai Shaparia, Meghjibhai Chavda, Rajya Sabha member Parimal Nathwani, district BJP president Mulubhai Bera, Jamnagar district BJP in charge Dhansukh Bhanderi, chairman of State Gau-Seva Commission Dr. Vallabh Kathiria, chairman of State Transport Corporation B H Ghodasara, Jilla Panchayat president Dr. Vasoya, district collector Nalin Upadhyay, district development officer Vijaykumar Kharadi, higher officials of forest department which include CM Pandey, Dr. Singh and others.

Chief Minister offers special prayer at Nageshwar Mahadev, one of the 12 Jyotirlinga in India, near Dwarka

Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi on Friday while inaugurating state level Van Mahotsav offered special prayers at Nageshwar Mahadev temple, one of the 12 Jyotirlinga in India, around 17 km away from Dwarka. Temple’s head priest Harish Bharthi assisted in administering the special prayers by the chief minister while those also took part in the prayer include Minister of Agriculture and party in-charge of Jamnagar district, Babubhai Bokhiriya, Rajya Sabha member Parimal Nathwani, BJP MLA Pabubha Manek, district collector Nalin Upadhyay and District development officer Vijay Kharadi.