Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Thursday, 1 October 2026, inaugurated 'Sarvodaya Van' at Odadar in Porbandar district, a 14-hectare green space developed at a cost of ₹20 crore and planted with 1.5 lakh saplings representing approximately 70 species. The event marked Gujarat's 77th state-level Van Mahotsav and the completion of the state's 25th Sanskrutik Van.

Key Developments at the Inauguration

Beyond the forest itself, Chief Minister Patel inaugurated and laid foundation stones for 14 development works worth ₹113 crore in Porbandar district. The occasion also carried symbolic weight: Patel noted it coincided with the 25th anniversary of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's public service. Free housing plots were provided to nomadic families, aids and appliances were distributed to persons with disabilities, and forest produce cheques were handed over to concerned villages and talukas.

What the Chief Minister Said

Addressing the gathering, Patel framed Van Mahotsav as Gujarat's commitment to pursuing growth without sacrificing ecological health. 'Development at the cost of the environment is not acceptable,' he said, asserting that conservation is deeply embedded in the state's culture. He credited the state's environmental gains to a broader ecosystem built under Prime Minister Modi's leadership.

On measurable progress, Patel cited figures shared at the event: Gujarat's forest cover has grown by 70.64 square kilometres over two decades, tree cover by 2,596 square kilometres, green cover by 2,461 square kilometres, and mangrove cover by 253 square kilometres. He also noted that 789 'Van Kavach' projects had been created across 1,140 hectares in the past three years, and that the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 3.0' campaign had yielded 6.9 crore saplings against a target of 3 crore.

Wildlife Conservation and Asiatic Lions

Patel highlighted the state's wildlife recovery story, stating that the Asiatic lion population has risen to 851 and its territorial range has expanded. 'Barda has now become a habitat for lions,' he added. Forest and Environment Minister Arjun Modhwadia elaborated that the first lion had entered the Barda Hills in 2023 and the area is now home to 26 lions. Minister of State for Forests Pravin Mali drew attention to Porbandar's marine ecosystem, including its pangolin population in Barda Sanctuary and the presence of Rayan and Sharu trees.

Upcoming Projects and MoUs

Modhwadia outlined an array of development plans for the region, including safari parks such as Jungle Safari and Devalia, a proposed ₹200 crore bird sanctuary, and a separate bird sanctuary at Medha Creek. He also referenced the proposed international shipbuilding yard at Kuchhadi, estimated at ₹27,000 crore, Porbandar's elevation to municipal corporation status, and four expressway projects with a combined estimated value of ₹1 lakh crore, linking Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Porbandar and other locations.

During the event, MoUs were signed with seven companies to develop mega nurseries under a public-private partnership model. Several publications were also released, including 'Namo Vad Van', 'From Van to Vandan', 'Barda — A Landscape of Hope', and a booklet on the status of dugongs and other marine mammals and seagrass habitats around Narara and adjoining islands in the Gulf of Kutch. Porbandar MP and Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya conveyed greetings through a virtual message.

With MoUs signed and large-scale infrastructure projects in the pipeline, Porbandar appears set for a significant phase of ecological and economic development in the coming years.