Amreli launches ₹4 crore green drive, Oxygen Park ahead of 80th I-Day
Synopsis
Amreli is not just hosting Gujarat's 80th Independence Day — it is also getting a ₹4 crore green makeover. With 13,000 trees slated for major roads and a new Oxygen Park in the works, the city's 'Green Amreli, Clean Amreli' plan is the most tangible legacy project tied to this year's state-level I-Day event.
Key Takeaways
Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel participated in a tree plantation drive in Amreli on 14 August 2025 , a day before the state-level 80th Independence Day celebrations.
The initiative is funded at ₹4 crore under the District Mineral Foundation scheme.
Amreli Municipality plans to plant approximately 13,000 trees along major roads and develop a dedicated Oxygen Park .
The drive is part of the municipality's 'Green Amreli, Clean Amreli' plan to achieve 'Green City' status.
Agriculture Minister Jitu Vaghani and MoS Kaushik Vekariya attended the plantation programme.
Patel also visited the historic Shri Nagnath Mahadev Temple , offering prayers ahead of the Independence Day event.
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Friday, 14 August 2025, participated in a tree plantation drive in Amreli as part of a ₹4 crore initiative to expand the city's green cover, a day before the state-level 80th Independence Day celebrations. The programme marks a significant environmental push by Amreli Municipality, which is hosting Gujarat's flagship Independence Day event this year.
The Green Initiative
Patel planted a sapling at the Shelter House on Savarkundla Road, operated by Amreli Municipality. The plantation campaign is funded through the District Mineral Foundation scheme and aims to plant around 13,000 trees along major roads on both sides.
The project also includes the development of a dedicated Oxygen Park, forming the centrepiece of the municipality's broader 'Green Amreli, Clean Amreli' plan. The stated goal is to transform Amreli into a recognised 'Green City' in the coming years.
Ministers in Attendance
The plantation programme was attended by District In-charge and Agriculture Minister Jitu Vaghani and Minister of State for Energy and Law Kaushik Vekariya. Office-bearers of Amreli Municipality and local dignitaries welcomed the Chief Minister and presented him with a memento and a shawl ahead of the event.
Temple Visit and Prayers
Earlier on Friday, Chief Minister Patel visited the historic Shri Nagnath Mahadev Temple in Amreli, where he offered prayers and performed puja and Jalabhishek in accordance with scriptural rituals amid mantra chanting. He prayed for the happiness, peace, and prosperity of the people of Gujarat and for the state's continued progress.
The trustees of Shri Nagnath Mahadev Devasthan Sansthan felicitated Patel with a memento. He also greeted devotees with the words, 'Mahadev... Mahadev.'
State-Level I-Day Celebrations in Amreli
This year's state-level Independence Day programme is being held in Amreli — a notable departure from the usual venues — with Chief Minister Patel scheduled to lead the celebrations on Saturday, 15 August 2025. The green drive and temple visit formed part of his official programme in the city ahead of the main event. The Oxygen Park and plantation corridor, once complete, are expected to meaningfully alter Amreli's urban landscape in the years ahead.
Point of View
But the ₹4 crore green drive gives the occasion a policy dimension worth scrutiny. District Mineral Foundation funds are meant to benefit communities affected by mining — their deployment for urban greening is legitimate but raises the question of whether Amreli's most mining-impacted residents are the primary beneficiaries. The 13,000-tree target and Oxygen Park are credible urban greening benchmarks, yet the absence of a public timeline or third-party monitoring framework means the 'Green City' goal could remain aspirational. Gujarat has a strong record on urban infrastructure announcements; the follow-through on this one will be worth tracking.
NationPress
14 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Amreli green drive announced ahead of Independence Day 2025?
It is a ₹4 crore tree plantation initiative by Amreli Municipality, funded through the District Mineral Foundation scheme, aimed at planting 13,000 trees along major roads and developing an Oxygen Park. The drive is part of the municipality's 'Green Amreli, Clean Amreli' plan to make the city a recognised Green City.
Why is Gujarat's Independence Day 2025 being held in Amreli?
The state government selected Amreli as the venue for Gujarat's state-level 80th Independence Day celebrations on 15 August 2025. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel is scheduled to lead the event, marking a departure from more commonly used venues.
What is the Oxygen Park being developed in Amreli?
The Oxygen Park is a dedicated green space being developed as part of Amreli Municipality's broader urban greening plan. It forms a key component of the ₹4 crore initiative and is intended to improve the city's air quality and urban environment.
Which ministers attended the Amreli plantation programme?
District In-charge and Agriculture Minister Jitu Vaghani and Minister of State for Energy and Law Kaushik Vekariya attended the tree plantation programme alongside Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel.
What did CM Bhupendra Patel do at Shri Nagnath Mahadev Temple in Amreli?
Chief Minister Patel visited the historic Shri Nagnath Mahadev Temple on 14 August 2025, where he offered prayers, performed puja and Jalabhishek according to scriptural rituals, and prayed for the happiness and prosperity of Gujarat's people.
