On the International Day of Forests, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel launched the “NaMo Vad Van” campaign in Gandhinagar by planting a banyan tree.
As part of the ‘Namo Vad Van’ campaign, 75 vad vans will be planted across the state. Each vad van will have 75 banyan trees planted by the state forest department.The campaign has been started under Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.
CM Patel said that the selling rights of forest byproducts under PESA Act are given to local tribes for the financial self-reliance of them The selling of 30 to 35 lakh bamboos produced in forests have also provided livelihood to the tribals, he said. The state government has made provision of Rs 20 crore in the current year’s budget to encourage farmers to cultivate bamboo in 5891 hectares under Bamboo Mission Scheme