Gandhinagar: The Government of Gujarat under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel is intensifying efforts to transform the state into a greener and more environmentally sustainable region through its flagship “Green Gujarat” mission.
As part of this initiative, the state is prioritizing nursery development to boost the production of high-quality saplings across social forestry nurseries.
₹50 Crore Allocation for Nursery Development Programme
The state government has allocated ₹50 crore for the nursery development programme under the Social Forestry Department. The funds are being used to enhance infrastructure and improve the quality and quantity of sapling production across the state.
Key focus areas include:
- Production of high-quality saplings in government nurseries
- Expansion of nursery capacity across districts
- Use of modern tall seedling technology
- Development of local plant species suitable for Gujarat’s climate
Advanced Sapling Production Using Modern Techniques
Under the programme, local plant species are being cultivated using advanced nursery methods, including the tall seedling technique, which produces plants between 6 to 8 feet in height.
Officials say this method ensures:
- Higher survival rate after plantation
- Faster growth of trees
- Improved environmental impact
Farmers Welcome Government Nursery Initiative
Farmers and horticulture beneficiaries have welcomed the initiative, highlighting the affordability and quality of saplings provided by government nurseries.
Farmers noted that:
- Government saplings are more cost-effective than private nurseries
- Technical guidance is easily available
- Better plant quality leads to higher yield and greener farms
A farmer, Rajubhai Patel, said government nurseries provide both quality plants and useful agricultural support, helping farmers improve productivity.
Successful Example from Falsa Cultivation
Another farmer, Tulsidas Patel, shared his experience of purchasing falsa saplings from a government nursery. He said plants purchased four years ago are now fruit-bearing and generating good income.
He added that:
- Falsa farming requires less maintenance
- Returns are stable and satisfactory
- Government nursery plants show strong growth performance
One Crore Saplings to Be Planted Under Green Gujarat Campaign
According to the Forest Department, around one crore saplings are being prepared for plantation under the ongoing “Green Gujarat” campaign.
Key highlights:
- Saplings grown across 423 nurseries in the state
- Plantation drive involving citizens, farmers, rural women, tribal communities, and self-help groups
- Expected survival rate of 80–90%
- Saplings ranging from 8 to 12 feet in height
Forest Minister Arjun Modhwadia stated that this year’s initiative is being implemented on a much larger scale compared to previous efforts to significantly increase green cover across the state.
Environmental Goals and Long-Term Impact
The government aims to:
- Increase forest and green cover across Gujarat
- Strengthen ecological balance
- Promote biodiversity through native plant species
- Support rural livelihoods through plantation-based activities
Officials also emphasized that the programme complements traditional forest conservation while expanding tree cover in non-forest areas.
Expanding Gujarat’s Green Future
The ₹50 crore nursery development programme under the “Green Gujarat” mission marks a significant step toward large-scale environmental restoration in Gujarat. With one crore saplings planned for plantation and strong community participation, the initiative aims to create a more sustainable and climate-resilient future under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel.
