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Chief Minister dedicates ‘Van Kavach’ at Jepura near Pavagadh

Gujarat gets its second ‘Van Kavach’

Hon’ble Chief Minister and dignitaries visit the ‘Van Kavach’ complex after tree plantation

Scientifically designed ‘Van Kavach’ has over 11,000 plants of more than 100 varieties spread across 1.1 hectares

Gandhinagar 3 August 2023: Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel dedicated the newly constructed ‘Van Kavach’ at Jepura near Pavagadh in the presence of Hon’ble Minister of Forest and Environment Shri Mulu Bera; Education Minister Dr. Kuber Dindor, Minister of State for Forest Shri Mukesh Patel, and other dignitaries. They also visited the ‘Van Kavach’ complex after participating in a tree-planting event.

Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel saw the pottery work used in the construction of ‘Van Kavach’ and understood its plan. Smt. Minal Jani, Deputy Conservator of Forests, Godhra, briefed the Chief Minister about the types and varieties of vegetation available in the area, along with other features and attractions of the ‘Van Kavach.’ The Chief Minister also sought details on the production of Cocopeat and Mahuda oil made by the Self-Help Group.

More than 11 thousand plants of over 100 types have been meticulously planted in the ‘Van Kavach,’ prepared using the Miyawaki method in an area of 1.1 hectares by the Godhra Social Forestry Department at Jepura, located 6 km from Pavagadh. This magnificent ‘Van Kavach’ houses more than 200 diverse species, serving as an exemplary showcase of rich biodiversity.

If we look at the features of Jepura’s ‘Van Kavach,’ the stone-built entrance is similar to the seven arches at Pavagadh and the gazebos here are excellent examples of fine craftsmanship. These gazebos are installed with the help of 8 pillars carved on top of a special sandstone, that justifies the title of ‘World Heritage Site’ awarded to Pavagadh. The gazebo’s dome is adorned with vivid replicas of branches and leaves from 4 distinctive plants, namely, Banyan, Mango, Kanchanar, and Kesudo, crafted onto iron bars.

The engineering work of ‘Van Kavach’ is so amazing that it leaves visitors in awe. The Rajula stone walkways, stone gazebos, and ancient sculptured gateways will remain maintenance-free for years to come. This mesmerizing attraction now awaits tourists visiting the monuments of the World Heritage Site and pilgrims coming at Mahakali Dham Pavagadh. To enhance the experience, a skywalk and watchtower have been built within the ‘Van Kavach,’ offering tourists and pilgrims a chance to capture the beauty on camera.

Furthermore, the ‘Van Kavach’ has a replica of forests found in Central Gujarat with more than 100 trees, shrubs, and herbs. Among the useful herbs are Arjun Sadad, Meendhal, Samidha Kanjo, Kusum, Charoli, Timru, Ardusi, Vayvarno, Parijatak, and Ashwagandha. Additionally, rare species like Patla, Kilai, Patrali, Susum, Bhilamo, Tetu, Bhoot Alan, Kumbhayo, Bhammarchal, Ragat rohido, Muttersing, Bothi, etc., have also been planted.

Silva’ and saplings of local species, raised in various nurseries of Central Gujarat, have been planted in the ‘Van Kavach.’ These plantations, nurtured using organic fertilizers, are now flourishing on their own. Remarkably, even rarer species like wild Kantola have sprouted from dormant rootstocks that were inactive for years.

It is important to note that in 2022, Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated a forest created using the ‘Van Kavach’ method for the first time at the Statue of Unity, Ektanagar. During the inauguration, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi emphasized the significance of establishing ‘Van Kavach’ at Ambaji and Pavagadh for the conservation of nature.

Today, on the 74th Van Mahotsav, Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel, who is committed to creating a Greener Gujarat, dedicated the Jepura ‘Van Kavach’.

District Panchayat President Smt. Kaminiben Solanki, MLAs Shri C. K. Raulji, Shri Jayadrath Singh Parmar, Shri Fatesinh Chauhan, Smt. Nimishaben Suthar, Principal Secretary of Forest and Environment Department, Collector Shri Ashish Kumar, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of the Forest Force Shri S.K. Chaturvedi, District Development Officer Shri. D. K. Baria, Chief Conservator of Forests, Vadodara Division Shri Anshuman, DCF of Panchmahal Shri. M. L. Meena, Deputy Conservator of Forest Shri Minal Jani along with senior officials of the Forest Department were present.

Source: Information Department, Gujarat