New Delhi: Gujarat government Monday claimed to have added 20 percent green stretch in the state during 10-year period beginning in 2003, making it the second largest state with tree cover (outside forest areas).
Mangubhai Patel, Gujarat's Forests and Environment Minister, said "consistent" and "concerted" conservation efforts of the state government saw a remarkable increase in forest area to 21,674 sq km, which stands at 11 percent of the state's total geographical area.
Patel said Gujarat is second only to West Bengal as far as mangroves conservation is concerned with a stretch admeasuring 1103 sq km to its credit.
"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 years 2003 and 2013. Gujarat stands second in the country for its largest tree cover (trees outside forest areas)," Patel said during Environment & Forest Ministers' Conference here.
The minister attributed the rise in green zones to people's participation under Social Forestry Programme in enhancing tree cover outside the notified forest lands and resorting to practices like transplantation of trees with the help of machines whenever trees are required to be felled.
Use of innovative instruments for environment compliances and protection, national award winner web-based online real- time Extended Green Node application for effective monitoring with transparency, third party monitoring and environment audit scheme for industry through independent agencies, new technology for control of pollution and incentives for industries for having adopted good practices are amongst the measures the government has taken, he added.
Patel informed the gathering about another initiative the state government has taken, the "Gatisheel Gujarat" programme, in which it will raise seedlings through special 2200 mahila (women) nurseries, raising farm forests on lands of 10,000 peasants, installing improved and wood saving crematoria, greening 1000 villages and imparting nature education to children in 2000 schools during the current year.
Listing the steps taken by Gujarat government to promote greenery, Patel said that despite the state facing adverse soil and rainfall conditions in its large parts, 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 the estate's geographical area has been dedicated to conservation of wildlife through four national parks, 23 sanctuaries and one conservation reserve, which is nearly double the corresponding national average.
"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," he said.
The Gujarat Minister urged the Union Environment Minister to extend support to the state in terms of sharing conservation practices, knowledge and finances.
