Gujarat Forests & Environment Minister Shri Mangubhai Patel today said that consistent and concerted conservation efforts of the State Government have resulted in a remarkable increase in forest area to 21,674 sq. km which now stands at 11 percent of the state’s total geographical area. Gujarat has achieved great success through people’s participation under the Social Forestry Programme in enhancing tree cover outside the notified forest lands to the tune of 20 percent between year 2003-2013. Gujarat stands second in the country for its largest tree cover (trees outside forest areas), he stated.
Speaking at the Environment & Forest Ministers Conference here, Shri Patel stated that in spite of facing adverse soil and rainfall conditions in large parts of Gujarat, the state has been able to create more opportunities for wood based industries and tree based economy under agro forestry.
About 8.9 percent of state’s geographical area has been dedicated to the conservation of wildlife through four National Parks, 23 Sanctuaries and one Conservation Reserve, which is nearly double the corresponding national average. The Gujarat Minister recounted that Gujarat is unique in terms of its diverse eco-systems which cover forests, grasslands, wetlands, mangroves, corals and Rann. The only natural habitat for Asiatic Lions in India, Gujarat has a population of 411 Asiatic lions as per the census 2010.
Shri Patel said that Gujarat state observes an Annual Vana Mahotsav Programme to strengthen emotional and cultural bond between people and tress. As part of this innovative scheme, every year a “Sanskritik Van” comprising of Rashi Van, Nakshtra Van, Navgraha Van, Aushadhi Van etc., is developed at a selected site and is dedicated to people by the Hon’ble Chief Minister.
Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi initiated the novel idea of utilizing the available open space of canals for putting up solar panels for harnessing solar energy when he was chief minister of Gujarat. The state has already put up solar panels on Narmada canal in Mehsana and Vadodara districts, Shri Mangubhai Patel informed.
Gujarat is the only large state which has shown continuous increase in its mangrove cover which stands at 1103 sq. km., making it next only to West Bengal, the Minister stated. Gujarat has developed a mechanism wherein when fully grown tress are required to be felled for any development purpose, such trees are saved by transplanting them to new locations with the help of machines.
Shri Patel briefed the gathering on how his Government has adopted a number of best practices using innovative instruments for environment compliances and protection. The national award winner web based online real time Extended Green Node application for effective monitoring with transparency; the third party monitoring and environment audit scheme for the industry through independent agencies; intensive use of new technology for control of pollution and incentives for industries for having adopted good practices.
Gujarat is a front runner state for the widespread implementation of the concept of “Co-Processing of Hazardous Wastes” wherein wastes from the industry are processed either as raw material or energy substitute. Thus, Gujarat state has been successful in realizing the “Waste to Wealth” concept in true spirit, the Minister remarked.
Shri Patel mentioned that under the leadership of first woman Chief Minister Smt Anandiben Patel, a flagship programme called “Gatisheel Gujarat” has been launched under which the Forest Department, during the current year, is raising seedlings through special 2200 mahila nurseries, raising farm forests on farmlands of 10,000 farmers, installing improved and wood saving crematoria, greening 1000 villages and imparting nature education to children in 2000 schools.
The Gujarat Minister urged the Union Environment Minister to extend support to state in terms of sharing conservation practices, knowledge and finances.
Shri P K Taneja, Additional Chief Secretary, Forest & Environment Department and other senior officials of the department attended the meeting.
