In Gujarat, an innovative agroforestry scheme is changing the landscape for farmers. Under the guidance of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, the state has implemented various environmentally friendly initiatives. These efforts aim to promote tree planting and sustainable farming practices across the region.
The agroforestry scheme has been in place for the last two years, allowing farmers to plant trees alongside their crops. This method not only improves soil quality but also enhances biodiversity. As a result, Gujarat has seen a remarkable increase in tree planting activities.
In the 2023-24 financial year, about 14,939 hectares were planted under this scheme, and an estimated 31,000 hectares are planned for the 2024-25 year. In total, over 45,939 hectares have been dedicated to farmer-friendly planting over the past two years. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to make Gujarat greener and more sustainable.
The state is also preparing for World Environment Day, celebrated on June 5 each year. Various activities, including tree planting events and community awareness programs, are organised to encourage participation from citizens.
Additionally, the forestry department has introduced several new initiatives. These include the Green Forest Path project, which covers 70 hectares, and the Panchratna Village Garden model, established in 1,000 villages. The Panchratna planting model has led to the planting of trees around 65 Amrit Sarovars (sacred water bodies) across the state.
In total, 211 ‘Van Kutir’ (forest huts) and 58 ‘Pavitra Upvan’ (pure gardens) have been created. To raise awareness about social forestry, the state has conducted 166 farmer camps and distributed 66,000 fruit saplings.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s initiative, ‘Ek Ped Ek Naam’ (One Tree, One Name), aims to plant 140 crore trees across India. Gujarat has committed to planting 12.20 crore trees by September 2024 and 17 crore trees by March 2025. So far, the state has planted 17.48 crore trees under this campaign.
Cultural forests, known as ‘Sanskritik Vano’, have also been developed in Gujarat. These forests blend environmental conservation with cultural significance. The first cultural forest was established in Gandhinagar in 2004 under the leadership of then Chief Minister Narendra Modi. Since then, 23 cultural forests have been created across the state.
Through these initiatives, Gujarat is not only aiming to increase green cover but also to promote eco-tourism. The cultural forests serve as tourist attractions while preserving the environment. For instance, the Harasiddhi Van was inaugurated during the state’s forest festival in 2024.
Efforts to establish the ‘Namo Vada’ forest have been made at 82 locations to highlight the cultural and religious importance of the national tree, the banyan tree. In the past two years, 300 hectares have been developed into 207 forest areas.
Moreover, new projects like the Dhola SIR micro-forest are set to begin, covering 25 hectares in the Dhola area. This project aims to enhance the green cover near the sea. More than 20,000 trees will also be planted around the historic port of Lothal as part of the National Heritage Maritime Complex.
These initiatives show Gujarat’s commitment to environmental sustainability and support for farmers. By integrating tree planting with agriculture, the state is paving the way for a greener future while boosting the livelihoods of its farmers.
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