Message
Gujarat has recorded highest decadal economic growth in the country and has simultaneously
taken several initiatives, including establishing a separate department for climate change to protect
environment. The State is a leader in promotion of sustainable energy options and has been a
front runner in development of solar energy. Also, Gujarat is all set to become the first state in
the country to generate solar power through panels mounted on canals, which will be supplied
to villages alongside the canal, leading to multiple use of land, lower transmission losses and also
reduced evaporation from canal. The Government is also working to raise tree plantations along the
Narmada canals and the command areas to expand green cover in the state. Trees are important part
of human life and play significant environment amelioration role in the urban areas. They are on the
job twenty four hours every day working for all of us to improve our environment and quality of life.
They play a role in improving air and water quality and provide variety of environmental and social
benefits. In other words, trees are major environment capital assets in cities that require care and
maintenance. In Gujarat, several cities like Gandhinagar, Vadodara and Bhavnagar have adequate
tree cover, ameliorating the urban environment and providing recreational value to the people, but
several others need to increase tree cover in favour of improving health of urban environment.
Initiative by the Forest Department to survey trees and assess the tree cover in the area of municipal
corporations and municipalities is appreciable. I congratulate the Forest Department in bringing out
such an important report on
“Status of Tree Cover in the Urban Areas in Gujarat State”
, which will
help the government to design appropriate plans to improve green cover in the urban areas.
Narendra Modi
Chief Manager, Gujarat State
