Gandhinagar: Gujarat has carried out high-density plantations across 1,526 hectares at 106 locations during 2026-27 under the Maha Van Kavach initiative, with plantation sites spread across districts including Ahmedabad, Kutch, Banaskantha, Sabarkantha, Narmada, Valsad and the tribal belt of eastern Gujarat.The plantations, each spanning 10 hectares or more, are aimed at expanding the state’s green cover through concentrated plantation drives. According to forest department data, individual plantation sites range from 10 hectares to 100 hectares, covering a wide geographical area across the state.Ahmedabad district accounts for the largest share under the programme, with 401 hectares covered across the Daskroi, Sanand and Bavla ranges. A 100-hectare plantation has been developed at Godhavi in Sanand, while other major sites include Vinchhiya (45 hectares), Zanp block-1 (48 hectares) and Dumali (30 hectares), officials said.Kutch is another key focus area, with plantations spread over 195 hectares across Kutch East and Kutch West divisions. Sites are located in the Nakhatrana, Dayapar, Bhuj, Rapar, Bhachau and Mundra ranges, with plantation areas ranging from 10 to 30 hectares.Banaskantha has covered 120 hectares, including a 50-hectare plantation at Dawas in Dantiwada range and a 20-hectare site along Gabbar Road in Ambaji. Sabarkantha has undertaken plantations over 85 hectares, while Patan has covered 60 hectares.The programme also extends to central and south Gujarat. Bharuch has developed 35 hectares under the initiative, while Surat and Vyara account for 65 hectares and 75 hectares respectively. Dahod division has covered 73 hectares, Chhota Udepur 42 hectares and Godhra 20 hectares.In south Gujarat, Valsad and Narmada have each undertaken plantations over 90 hectares. Dang North and Dang South have covered 60 hectares and 30 hectares respectively, while Narmada’s plantations are spread across the Rajpipla, Dediyapada and Sagbara ranges.“The plantation sites include both forest and non-forest locations across diverse ecological zones. The objective is to create concentrated green patches across a large area rather than dispersing plantation activity across scattered locations,” an official associated with the project said.
