Ahmedabad, July 11 (IANS) Large stretches of barren and saline land across Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar districts are being restored and converted into green spaces under a large-scale afforestation programme that aims to plant 1.25 crore trees across the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency this year.

The initiative, being undertaken under Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s Gandhinagar Green Lok Sabha Project, includes the restoration of degraded land and the plantation of predominantly native tree species to improve biodiversity and create sustainable ecosystems.

One of the project’s sites is a 23-hectare grazing land at Kanotar village, about 30 km from Bavla in Ahmedabad district.

Until recently, the area was heavily affected by salinity and overrun with invasive ‘Prosopis juliflora’ (locally known as gando baval), making it largely barren.

The Gujarat Forest Department has removed the invasive vegetation, carried out deep ploughing and treated the soil with gypsum, farmyard manure, fertilisers and other nutrients to improve its fertility.

Plantation of 2.30 lakh trees has now begun at the site, with the majority comprising native species.

The grazing land has been fenced for protection, while a solar-powered borewell has been installed to provide irrigation for the plantation.

The Kanotar project is one of 82 plantation sites across Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar districts where similar restoration work is being carried out.

According to the project plan, the Gujarat Forest Department will plant 60 lakh saplings over 540.92 hectares at these locations as part of the overall target of planting 1.25 crore saplings across the Gandhinagar Parliamentary constituency during the current year.

The plantation drive forms part of the wider “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” campaign launched under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which encourages public participation in tree planting.

The campaign is being implemented across Gujarat under the guidance of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel.

The project places particular emphasis on planting native and threatened plant species rather than fast-growing exotic varieties.

Gujarat Forest and Environment Department Principal Chief Secretary, Vinod Rao, said: “Under this campaign, instead of fast-growing trees, species suitable to the local conditions of Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar districts have been selected. The Forest Department will plant a total of 121 plant species, of which 80 are native species. Moreover, out of more than 6.05 lakh saplings, 24 species belong to rare, endangered and threatened categories.”

The native species selected for plantation include Kumkum (Mallotus sp.), Silk Cotton Tree, Kampilo, Kilai, Chamuli, Wild Drumstick, White Siris, Wild Guava, Kanchanar, Yellow Kesudo, Soapnut, White Teak and White Gambhar, among others.

Rao said the choice of native species was intended to strengthen local biodiversity.

“Planting native tree species will attract birds, butterflies and insects that depend on these trees, creating a vibrant ecosystem. Native trees provide food, shelter and breeding habitats for local birds, reptiles, butterflies, bees and other pollinators,” he added.

Rao said, “The flowers, fruits and leaves of native plants provide nourishment to birds and other insects throughout the year, while dense vegetation creates safe movement corridors for small animals. Restored land, improved moisture retention and enhanced biodiversity make these habitats stronger and more resilient to climate change.”

According to the Forest Department, as the plantations mature, they are expected to improve ecological balance, support pollination and establish self-sustaining ecosystems across restored landscapes in the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency.

–IANS

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