CM Patel flags off 183 vehicles for forest personnel at Sasan Gir

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Thursday flagged off 183 specially equipped vehicles for forest personnel at Sasan Gir, strengthening the state’s efforts towards wildlife conservation, protection, rescue and rehabilitation. The vehicles have been provided to enhance patrolling and emergency response capabilities across Gir, Greater Gir and the wider lion landscape of the state.
According to information, the Forest Department has made available 174 field bikes, six Bolero Campers and three modified rescue vehicles for use by forest field staff. These vehicles will support day-to-day patrolling, protection of wildlife habitats and swift rescue operations, particularly in human-wildlife conflict situations.

Before flagging off the vehicles, the chief minister began his day with an early morning lion sighting in Gir Forest, spending time amid nature. The event was attended by Principal Secretary, Forest and Environment, Dr Vinod Rao, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Dr Jaipal Singh, along with other senior forest officials. On the occasion, Patel also visited the Forest Department’s rescue centre at Sasan Gir.Officials said the newly allocated vehicles will enable forest personnel across Gir, Greater Gir and other forest areas of Gujarat to perform their duties more efficiently, particularly during rescue and rehabilitation missions involving Asiatic lions and other wildlife species.
Earlier, Chief Minister Patel had taken a major people-centric decision to allot government land free of cost to municipalities for public welfare projects in towns and cities across Gujarat. The move aims to improve transparency in urban administration and ensure timely delivery of basic civic amenities.Under the decision, municipalities will now be allotted land free of cost for developing 11 categories of essential infrastructure, easing the financial burden on urban local bodies. Around 152 municipalities will be relieved from paying 25 to 50 per cent of market value or jantri rates that were earlier required to acquire government land for development works.The land allotment process has also been simplified and streamlined. The policy adopts a citizen-centric approach to ensure easy access to essential facilities such as Nagar Seva Sadan, fire stations, sewage and water treatment plants, underground sewerage and drainage systems, water supply projects, solid and liquid waste management facilities, stormwater drainage works, anganwadis, town halls, community halls and convention centres.

(State Correspondent)