On June 5, Gujarat celebrated World Environment Day with a series of initiatives aimed at enhancing the state’s greenery. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel launched the ‘Mission for Million Trees’ campaign in Ahmedabad. He began the campaign by planting a Sindoor tree, marking the start of the Sindoor Forest project in the Chandlodia ward. This project will see the planting of 551 Sindoor trees in memory of the civilians who lost their lives in a terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Chief Minister also inaugurated 11 tree carts to promote tree planting across the city. These carts will help engage citizens in the tree planting initiative, with a goal of planting 40 lakh trees. The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has established a toll-free number and an AMC service app to facilitate citizen participation.
The AMC’s efforts aim to improve air quality and reduce pollution levels in the city. The various oxygen parks created by the AMC will also contribute to increasing the green cover. Mayor Pratibhaben Jain and other officials, along with students and local residents, attended the tree planting event, showcasing community involvement.
This year’s World Environment Day theme focuses on environmental conservation and sustainable practices. The Chief Minister highlighted that Gujarat is committed to increasing its forest cover through various projects, including the ‘Social Forestry’ initiative. Under this initiative, 1,143 square kilometers of forest cover has been added, placing Gujarat at the forefront of the country in this regard.
The state government has significantly increased the budget for the forest and environment department, raising it from 2,586 crores to 3,139 crores for the year 2025-26. Several new schemes have been introduced, such as the Green Forest Path and the Panchratna Village Garden, aiming to increase community engagement in tree planting.
The ‘One Tree, One Name’ campaign, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, aims for the planting of 140 crore saplings nationwide. Gujarat has already achieved a milestone by planting 17.48 crore saplings under this initiative. The state’s efforts align with the national vision of enhancing environmental sustainability through active citizen participation.
The celebration of World Environment Day in Gujarat reflects a collective effort to protect and enhance the natural environment. Through initiatives like tree planting, the government and citizens are working together to create a greener and more sustainable future for all.
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