Gujarat CM Honors Forest Martyrs on National Forest Martyrs Day
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel led a heartfelt tribute on Thursday to nine brave forest martyrs from the state. These heroes lost their lives while safeguarding forests and wildlife, showing true dedication to nature’s protection.
The event took place at Gujarat’s first-ever Vanpal Memorial, located at the Van Chetna Kendra in Sector 30, Gandhinagar. CM Patel offered floral tributes to honor their sacrifice, marking National Forest Martyrs Day with deep respect.
India observes this day every September 11 since 2013. The central government started it to remember forest rangers, guards, range officers, and frontline workers who gave their all in the line of duty. It’s a nationwide reminder of their vital role in forest conservation and wildlife protection.
Joining CM Patel were State Forest Minister Mulubhai Bera and Minister of State Mukesh Patel. They all stood together for a two-minute silence, paying silent homage to the fallen. Legislator Ritaben Patel, Additional Chief Secretary (Forest and Environment) Sanjeev Kumar, Head of Forest Force A.P. Singh, and other top forest officials also attended to show their gratitude.
Gujarat continues to step up its efforts in wildlife conservation and forest protection. In the 2025-26 state budget, the government allocated Rs 40 crore to stop lion deaths on railway tracks and boost wildlife safety through a new command-and-control unit. This move highlights Gujarat’s focus on lion conservation in areas like Gir forest.
The Forest Department received Rs 655 crore for developing forest areas. They plan to use innovative techniques like Miyawaki plantation to grow greener spaces faster. Plus, Rs 10 crore went to the coastal ‘green wall’ project, known as the Mishti programme, to create protective barriers along the shoreline.
On lion conservation, Gujarat spent Rs 277.93 crore in 2022-23 for Gir and Greater Gir regions. This funded veterinarians, forest ambulances, quick rescue teams, disease treatment centers, and other safety measures to protect the Asiatic lion population.
At the national level, the Union Government launched Project Lion with a whopping Rs 2,927.71 crore budget. The project tackles wildlife health, habitat management, and human-wildlife conflict. It also sets up a National Wildlife Disease Diagnostic and Referral Centre in Junagadh, Gujarat, to aid in animal health research and care.
Looking back, from 2016 to 2021, Gujarat’s forest teams spent about Rs 823 crore on protecting and managing wildlife sanctuaries. This made up around 13.7% of their total work during those years, as per official reports. These efforts show Gujarat’s growing commitment to balancing human needs with forest and wildlife preservation.
Such initiatives not only honor the forest martyrs but also ensure a safer future for India’s rich biodiversity, especially the iconic Asiatic lions.
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