New Delhi: Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani today inaugurated 71st state level Van Mahotsav organized in Rajkot on his 65 th birthday through video conference from Gandhinagar. While inaugurating 71st state-wide Van Mahotsav, Gujarat CM clearly expressed that even with the fast pace development and industrial growth, state has maintained pollution-free Gujarat vision with clean air and water along with environmental protection.
He inaugurated the 20th Sanskrutik Van constructed by the Forest Department and Rajkot Municipal Corporation in an area of 157 acres near Aaji Dam.
On this occasion, Chief Minister Vijay Rupani gave the role of the importance of forests in the ancient culture and the role of our Rushimunis living in the forest and composition of Vedas and Upanishads.
Describing the exile of Lord Ramachandraji during the Ramayana period, the Chief Minister named the 20th Sanskrutik Van in Rajkot as a ‘Rama Van’ to preserve the memory of the foundation stone of the magnificent Ram temple in Ayodhya.
Vijay Rupani said that instead of building oxygen tanks, we are planting more and more green trees to increase the oxygen. He added that more trees would be planted in Gujarat to increase green cover and to maintain environmental purity.
The forest department would distribute 10 crore saplings and Tulsi plants across the state during the Van Mahotsav this year.
What CM Rupani said
• Environmental balance and Pollution control has also been maintained in the overall industrial and economic development of Gujarat.
• Gujarat is committed to increasing green cover to meet the challenges of climate change.
• Forest with a green trees and natural environment in the middle of the cities is the right job at the right time.
• 34 crore trees outside forest area in Gujarat, increased by 37% in 13 years.
At a time when the world is facing the challenges of climate change, the concept of urban forest in Gujarat has created forests of natural greenery between cement concrete forests with the right job at the right time, he said proudly.
The Chief Minister pointed out that 19 forests have been created so far in the initiative of Prime Minister Narendrabhai Modi to connect people with forests in Gujarat and to build Sanskrutik Van outside Gandhinagar through public participation. He lauded the Forest Department and public cooperation for the fact that there are 34 crore trees in the non-forest area in the state and it has increased by 37% in 13 years.
He also launched ‘Go Green’ Rath and Sanjeev’s Rath, which spread the message of environmental protection along with door-to-door distribution of saplings by Rajkot Municipal Corporation through video conferencing.
Forest Minister Ganpatsinh Vasava gave details of how trees and forests provide many good things to mankind without expecting anything in return. Minister of State for Forests Ramanbhai Patkar joined the occasion from Umargam via video link. Additional Chief Secretary of Forest Environment Dr. Rajiv kumar Gupta In his welcome address, gave details of the planning of the Van Mahotsav. The Mayor of Rajkot Mrs. Binaben also gave an occasional speech.
