The forest area of Gujarat has increased to 21,674 sq km which is 11% of the state's geographical area. Forest and environment minister Mangubhai Patel said this in New Delhi during a conference of environment and forest ministers.
However, the 2013 report of the Forest Survey of India says that Gujarat has 14,653 sq km tree cover and 8,358 sq km total forest area.
The minister said that Gujarat has achieved success through people's participation under the Social Forestry Programme in enhancing tree cover outside the notified forest lands by 20% during 2003-2013. Gujarat stands second in the country for its largest tree cover (trees outside forest areas), he claimed.
He said that about 8.9% of state's geographical area has been dedicated to the conservation of wildlife through four National Parks, 23 sanctuaries and one Conservation Reserve, which is nearly double the corresponding national average.
Patel further claimed that Gujarat is the only large state which has shown continuous increase in its mangrove cover, which stands at 1,103 sq km, making it next only to West Bengal.
However, the 2013 report of the Forest Survey of India says that Gujarat has 14,653 sq km tree cover and 8,358 sq km total forest area.
The minister said that Gujarat has achieved success through people's participation under the Social Forestry Programme in enhancing tree cover outside the notified forest lands by 20% during 2003-2013. Gujarat stands second in the country for its largest tree cover (trees outside forest areas), he claimed.
He said that about 8.9% of state's geographical area has been dedicated to the conservation of wildlife through four National Parks, 23 sanctuaries and one Conservation Reserve, which is nearly double the corresponding national average.
Patel further claimed that Gujarat is the only large state which has shown continuous increase in its mangrove cover, which stands at 1,103 sq km, making it next only to West Bengal.
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