Gandhinagar - On the occasion of World Environment Day, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel visited the Namo Vad Forest in Gandhinagar on Wednesday, where he inspected and planted saplings. This visit is part of the ongoing celebrations of 75 years of India's independence under the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav initiative.
The Namo Vad Forest, named after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's fondness for banyan trees, was inaugurated by Chief Minister Patel on March 21, 2022, with the planting of a banyan sapling. The project aims to develop 75 Namo Vad Forests in 33 districts of Gujarat, promoting environmental conservation in a path-breaking manner.
During his visit, the Chief Minister received a briefing on the flora and arrangements at the site. Principal Secretary of the Forest and Environment Department, Sanjeev Kumar, provided detailed information, noting that 82 Namo Vad Forests have been developed across the state, surpassing the initial goal of 75. Each forest now contains 175 banyan saplings, with plans for further densification.
The Namo Vad Forest in Gandhinagar spans one hectare and nurtures around 6,500 plants, including various species of small, large, and flowering plants. These plants are maintained using efficient water conservation methods such as drip irrigation and the Matka method. The site is also being developed as an eco-friendly picnic spot and tourist attraction, featuring facilities like a children's play area, yoga platform, and benches.
The visit was attended by Minister of State for Cooperation Jagdish Vishwakarma, Principal Secretary Sanjeev Kumar, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests U.D. Singh, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Social Forestry) A.P. Singh, MLA Ritaben, Mayor Hiteshbhai Makwana, and several other officials.
This initiative reflects Gujarat's commitment to environmental protection and sustainability, setting a precedent for future conservation efforts in the state.
