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He also says that the drive would be conducted with people's participation, with a focus on urban areas Ten crore saplings will be planted across the state as a part of the upcoming
69th Van Mahotsav, Forest Minister Ganpatsinh Vasava said on Wednesday. Speaking to reporters, the minister said that more than 9.77 crore saplings of 2,609 varieties have been grown in
nurseries, which would be used in the afforestation drive. He also said that the drive would be conducted with people's participation, with a focus on urban areas. "A lot of focus
of the afforestation drive would be on urban areas. Fifty lakh saplings would be allotted for city spots. Municipal authorities would be roped in for the drive in the eight municipal
corporations," Vasava said. The minister said that Chief Minister Vijay Rupani is slated to kick-start the Van Mahotsav by starting work on Rakshak Van in Saraspur village of Kutch on
July 27, while district-level events would take place on July 30. A number of programmes would also be held in all the districts and talukas. The minister said that more than 40 lakh
saplings will be planted at 850 spots where various works were undertaken during the Jal Sanchay Abhiyan in May. One Vruksh Rath (Tree Chariot) will distribute the saplings from door-to-door
in each of the 33 districts in the month of August. 50% FEWER TREES TO BE CUT Vasava said that 50 per cent fewer trees will be cut for expanding SG Highway. He told reporters that earlier
8,500 trees would have had to be chopped for widening the busy road, but only half of them will now need to be cut. He said that this has been achieved by transplanting trees, and by making
minor changes to the road design.