In a landmark decision to boost the green cover and rejuvenate the riverine landscape of 185 rivers of the state, the Gujarat government on Friday said it had approved a proposal of the Forest Department to plant trees along the riverbanks under the Riverine Landscape Management Plan. The Department of Forest and Environment will be designated as the nodal agency for steering the initiative to identify priority stretches, define approaches, and guide the process of riverine landscape management.
Gujarat Minister for Forest and Environment, Arjun Modhwadia, said the work of forest conservation and propagation of trees on both banks of all 185 rivers of the state has been entrusted to the Forest Department. “Under the project, the 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.”
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Modhwadia said the Forest and Department through its (district) offices will be responsible for protecting, maintaining and conserving such lands identified to become part of the Riverine Forest Landscape Management. Modhwadia said, “The work related to Riverine Forest Landscape Management of the rivers passing through the protected areas and forest areas will be done by the Social Forestry Department, after selecting the site through the office of the respective District Collector, all further work will be carried out.”
Speaking to The Indian Express, Gujarat Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) Dr AP Singh said the Riverine Landscape Management is a futuristic programme focussing on restoration of the riverine, biodiversity, conservation, habitat improvement as well as soil erosion on the contours. Singh said, “In Gujarat, the combined forest and tree cover accounts for 11.03% of the state’s geographical area as per India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2023. As per National Forest Policy 1988, envisions 33% green cover of its geographical area. The forest and tree cover of Gujarat is much below the stipulated proportion, and 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…”
Singh explains that as per the ISFR 2023 report, the state’s forest cover stands at 15,016.64 km², accounting for 7.65% of its geographical area. Complementing this, Gujarat also has a significant tree cover of 6,632.29 km², representing 3.38% of its geographical area. “Together, the total green cover (forest + tree cover) amounts to 21,648.93 km², covering approximately 11.03% of the state’s geographical area. In addition, Gujarat is home to some of the richest mangrove ecosystems in India, with 1,164.06 km² of mangrove cover along its coasts, providing vital ecological and climate resilience services…”
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As per the proposal of the forest department, conceptualised by Singh, Gujarat’s diverse region features approximately 185 river basins. Mainland Gujarat has 17 rivers, while Saurashtra and Kachcch have 71 and 97 river basins, respectively. Perennial rivers such as the Narmada, Tapi, and Purna flow through the mainland, providing a reliable water source. In contrast, the rivers in Saurashtra and Kachchh are seasonal and depend on monsoon rainfall.
“Some of the issues faced by the riverine ecosystems in Gujarat are erosion, formation of ravines, siltation and reduced channel capacity, invasive species, loss of native flora and plants, fragmented institutional mechanisms… The proposal developed by the Forest department to manage vegetation across the rivers in Gujarat will help in soil and water conservation, climate resilience, biodiversity recovery and community co-benefits,” Singh said, especially citing the Kerala Basin Management Act (2025) in the proposal put forth to the State government last year.
“Following the devastating floods, Kerala adopted a river-basin framework in law, forming multi-tier committees with forest, irrigation, environment, etc. to plan “natural hydrological” catchment-based restoration. This model underscores the need for cross department coordination in river corridors… 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…” Singh said.
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