Gandhinagar: The state forest and environment department has drawn up an ambitious greening target for 2035, aiming to increase Gujarat’s forest cover by 9%, tree cover by 4%, overall green cover by 12% and mangrove plantation by 336 sq km by 2035.A presentation made by the department at the committee of secretaries (COS) meeting earlier this week said, “Gujarat ranks second in forest cover increase (ISFR 2023), yet remains below the national average. The next decade demands precision, not just planting targets, but survival, density improvement and community stewardship.” At present, the forest cover in the state is 15,017 sq km, which is 7.65% of the state’s geographical area. The department intends to increase the state’s forest cover to 17,100 sq km — an increase of 2,083 sq km — by 2035. According to department officials, the state’s tree cover presently stands at 6,632 sq km, which is 3.38% of the state’s geographical area. “The department aims at increasing the tree cover by 4% to 7,850 sq km by 2035,” a source said. Similarly, the green cover in the state, which is 21,649 sq km, is proposed to be increased by 3,301 sq km to 24,950 sq km, an increase of 12.71%, the presentation said. The state’s forest department also aims to increase mangrove plantation area by 336 sq km from the existing 1,164 sq km to 1,500 sq km. The Banni grassland in Kutch district will be increased from the present area of 170 sq km to 570 sq km, an increase of 400 sq km in its area. Commenting on the issue of human-wildlife conflict, the presentation said that 198 human deaths and 1,023 injuries from wildlife conflict have taken place between 2019-20 and 2025-26. Leopards are responsible for 54% of deaths (106) and 64% of injuries (657). The presentation proposed a number of measures, including the use of artificial intelligence to reduce wildlife-human conflicts.
