In a significant move to enhance its environmental sustainability, the Gujarat government has approved a major afforestation initiative targeting the state's riverine ecosystems. On Friday, the state gave its nod to a Riverine Landscape Management Plan proposed by the Forest Department, which aims to systematically plant trees along the banks of 185 rivers across Gujarat.
A Holistic Approach to Riverine Restoration
The Department of Forest and Environment has been designated as the nodal agency to steer this ambitious project. Its responsibilities will include identifying priority stretches for plantation, defining implementation approaches, and guiding the overall process of riverine landscape management. Gujarat Minister for Forest and Environment, Arjun Modhwadia, stated that the work of forest conservation and tree propagation on both banks of all 185 rivers has been entrusted to the Forest Department.
Minister Modhwadia elaborated on the plan's specifics, noting that under the project, required land will be identified and demarcated for tree cultivation. "Using GIS mapping and verifying the condition of the land, especially those that are unused will have to be mandatorily used to increase green cover… no commercial activity will be carried out on the lands under this scope of work," he said. The Forest Department, through its district offices, will be responsible for protecting, maintaining, and conserving the identified lands.
Addressing the Green Cover Deficit
Speaking to The Indian Express, Gujarat Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) Dr. AP Singh, who conceptualized the proposal, highlighted the urgent need for such an initiative. He pointed out that as per the India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2023, Gujarat's combined forest and tree cover accounts for only 11.03% of its geographical area. This is significantly below the 33% target envisioned by the National Forest Policy of 1988.
Dr. Singh provided a detailed breakdown: the state's forest cover is 15,016.64 km² (7.65% of geographical area), and tree cover is 6,632.29 km² (3.38%). Together, this amounts to 21,648.93 km² of green cover. "Being an industrialized and urbanized state, it is striving to enhance its green cover for environmental and ecological sustainability and also to contribute substantially towards achieving forestry-related Nationally Determined Contribution Targets (NDCs) of the country," he explained.
Scientific Management for Diverse River Basins
The proposal takes into account Gujarat's diverse hydrological landscape. The state features approximately 185 river basins, with 17 in mainland Gujarat, 71 in Saurashtra, and 97 in Kachchh. While perennial rivers like the Narmada, Tapi, and Purna flow through the mainland, rivers in Saurashtra and Kachchh are seasonal, relying on monsoon rains.
Dr. Singh identified key issues plaguing these riverine ecosystems, including erosion, siltation, invasive species, and loss of native flora. The new management plan is designed to address these through soil and water conservation, biodiversity recovery, and creating community co-benefits. The proposal was partly inspired by the Kerala Basin Management Act of 2025, a model adopted after devastating floods, which emphasizes cross-departmental coordination for catchment-based restoration.
"A holistic approach is required to conserve and restore riverine landscapes integrating scientific methods, community participation, and inter-departmental coordination, anchored in the larger vision of Gujarat’s green growth," Dr. Singh concluded, underscoring the program's futuristic focus on restoration, habitat improvement, and climate resilience.
