Gujarat has rolled out a large-scale plantation campaign, planting over 7.6 lakh saplings under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model to enhance green cover across the state. Spearheaded by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, the initiative aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” movement and aims to bolster climate resilience through tree cover expansion.
Launched by the State Forest Department, the drive targets roadside stretches, coastal highways, and unused public land, creating what officials describe as a “green corridor” for ecological balance and long-term sustainability. The campaign also supports Gujarat’s pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
A major boost to the effort came with a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in Gandhinagar between the Forest Department and Manav Seva Charitable Trust during the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2024. The MoU includes planting 40,000 saplings along prominent routes like the Dwarka–Somnath corridor.
Forest and Environment Minister Mulubhai Bera, Minister of State Mukesh Patel, Additional Chief Secretary M.K. Das, and Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Dr. A.P. Singh joined CM Patel at the MoU ceremony. They underscored the importance of community involvement and private sector partnerships in greening the state.
A focal scheme in the project is the Harit Van Path Yojana, which promotes roadside plantations as part of a wider green infrastructure strategy. Officials say the initiative is not only about planting trees it’s a long-term investment in climate adaptation, air quality improvement, and biodiversity restoration.
With the PPP model in place, Gujarat’s plantation drive is expected to set a national benchmark for scalable, inclusive environmental action.