On the eve of World Environment Day, the Gujarat Congress unit alleged that 1,313.39 hectares of forest land in the state were diverted for other purposes, while thousands of positions in the forest and environment department remain vacant.
Congress Spokesperson's Statement
State Congress spokesperson Parthivrajsinh Kathavadia said, "According to a report by Global Forest Watch, tree cover in Gujarat has decreased by 100 hectares. The state government is not showing adequate urgency in safeguarding the environment."
Details of Forest Land Diversion
Quoting the Gujarat Forest Statistics 2024/2025 report, Kathavadia claimed that 1,313.39 hectares of forest land were diverted for other uses in 2024/2025. The breakdown includes:
- 854.63 hectares for roads and transmission lines
- 421.31 hectares for industries and townships
- 15.63 hectares for irrigation purposes
Vacant Positions in Forest Department
Kathavadia further stated that out of 8,949 sanctioned positions in the forest department, 3,490 remain vacant. He criticized the state government for not addressing the staffing shortage, which he said hampers effective forest management and environmental protection.
The Congress party urged the government to take immediate measures to prevent further diversion of forest land and fill vacant posts to ensure better conservation efforts.
