Gujarat government to increase green cover, plant 10 crore trees

In a bid to increase green cover, Gujarat Forest Department will plant 10 crore trees during the ongoing 'Van Mahotsav', state cabinet minister Mangubhai Patel said on Thursday. The 67th 'Van Mahotsav' began on Wednesday at Verakhadi in Anand district, about 60 kms from Vadodara.

"Gujarat Chief Minister Anadiben Patel yesterday commenced the 67th Van Mahotsav. The Mahisagar Van will be developed as an eco-tourism spot," Patel, state minister for Forest and Environment development said. "We will be planting 10 crore trees during the 'Mahotsav' across the state. We have already planted over 4,000 trees and another 85,000 saplings will be planted at the Mahisagar Van," he said.

The Chief Minister has announced that on August 7, trees will be planted across Gujarat, he said. "Tree plantation drive will also be carried at Kaprada village in Valsad district on July 30, Mota village in Surat district on August 4 and Bhuchar-Moti village in Jamnagar on August 24," he added.